The case of Mrs Momoh who is being tried for wanting to commit suicide is giving me headache...The lost look on that woman's face who tried to kill herself because someone duped her and then she was asked to pay 500k as bail money?I cant deal with why anyone would want to do this!
I dont know if non Lawyers can answer this question but I want the lawyers to tell us the TRUTH....Is it right to traumatise a suicide victim by taking them to court or jailing them?
What do you think
Lawyers get in o
ReplyDeleteIt is illogical to criminalize ones attempt to kill himself/herself. It will only drive them to succeed in the act. Besides, what sort of punishment is harsher than the decision to kill oneself? Also the crime is against the person and infringes on the right to self incrimination. the plaintiff and defendant is the same person. The prosecutor will be standing for the plaintiff who is also the defendant, it doesn't make sense.
DeleteI dont think it's right to charge to them..Why not recommend she goes for pyschological examinations...She was duped and giving her 500k bail?? Mehn the law is an ARSE??
ReplyDeleteTHat Judge that presided over Mrs Momoh's case and Justice Binta Nyako are from the pit of hell.
ReplyDeleteOur judicial system has failed us.
Makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteShe tried to kill herself over financial issues then you granted her 500 thousand naira bail. Instead of institutionalizing the poor woman, you are putting her through more trauma. We are very funny people in this country.
How will this curb suiciders? This isn't a deterrent because these people need help not more chaos. They are not criminals because they are only trying to harm themselves.
Where are our human right's lawyers? Shouldn't they be helping this woman out.
ReplyDeleteSomeone is about ending it all due to the fact that she was duped.. (wrong move though) and then you begin to compound her already 'compounded' situation with a fine of more money when she hasn't even recovered the one she was duped of?
Double suicide be that. She will kill herself ×2.
Such people deserve help/counselling nothing else
She needs psychiatric help not more trial
ReplyDeleteThe spirit behind the law was to scare people from committing such act.
ReplyDeleteThe reality of the Law is that it doesn't solve the problem.
Religion aside, it would mean you own your life, the government doesn't own it, so if one has a right to life doesn't be have a right to death?
Suicide is more of a medical case than a criminal case.it is just unjust to punish someone who attempted to take his life,while there is no punishment for those who succeed in the act. it is only in nigeria that mental health issues are against the law, What sense does it make, for example, sentencing to prison an accused who, in a bout of depression, makes an attempt to terminate his life as a consequence of his hopelessness and depressive gloom, but fails to succeed in his mission? Criminalising it, is encouraging those who attempt suicide to be more desperate and accurate in doing a better job.
ReplyDeleteSuicide people needs more of counselling by professionals and also prayers so that the spirit will not continue to torment them.
ReplyDeleteShame on that judge ooo
Suside is a krime... In kasis wer yhu die sumwer strenge, eat cust hat-brake an moni to find yhu..
ReplyDeleteEye tink d onli thyme eat is north a krime is wehn yhu dun gate cut alife....
Plis no one shool tale me dat d susider is doin imsef cus e is north, eat is d pipo e leaf behine dat e is doin cus e yaff cust dem mosh pane an sheme....
.dryvin imsef to hale is jos by d way.
I have read of such case only in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteHave they ever tried anyone who committed murder of innocent children in their wombs?
Abortion does thrive on every street corner; doesn't it?
Well the courtroom of God is the place of justice for these innocents
And there is no favoritism
Repentance is key
Read a Constitution, suicide is a crime. And a crime is what the state deems it has.
DeleteIt's the irony of the law, Stella. Suicide itself is not a crime (for the obvious reason that you can't try a dead man)but attempted suicide is. The rationale appears to be that the State should not condone citizens' "self-murder" because of other societal problems it could create. In practice, however, suicide attempts are rarely prosecuted because it just doesn't make practical sense. It is disappointing that the Police have decided to prosecute this time. One would have thought that getting psychological care for the woman would be the priority...
ReplyDeleteYes attempted suicide is a crime in Nigeria,but is it the solution to this brief mental disconnect?
ReplyDeleteThat is a valid question here.
Unlike most western countries,our prison facilities do not have the wherewithal to care for someone with this kind of issue.
Do they even know what it means to be on suicide watch?
Was she getting therapy these past few weeks?
Is her case any different than Tbillz's? Why was he not remanded?
Is this the right way?
I understand fully that committing suicide is wrong and should be discouraged,I also feel locking that person up in our kind of facilities is the last thing to be done at this point. That place is depressing already even for the hard hearted murderers.
In teaching someone a lesson,should we care less about the life we so desperately want to save?
This just brings us back to the rot in the country, There is need for total overhaul of our Prison system,Medical sector and Education sector.
This is me coming from a human point of view,not the law.
Everything in Nigeria is wrong.
ReplyDeleteSomeone that should have been taken for psychiatric examination and couselling. It shows we don't have a right to anything.
Till now, I've not heard of any trial for Teeblizz or his own is not attempted suicide?
Mrs Momoh, will be fine. The church is doing their best.
Can you imagine? Where will she get the money to bail herself? She needs only medical attention
ReplyDeleteToday I felt suicidal. Tired, worn out sick, just want to end it all. Say a word of prayer for me. I need God to speak peace into my life. Divine direction and intervention. A mother of three going through a divorce. It's tough
ReplyDeleteWow darling, it is well with you. It will get better for you. Remember that your heavenly father's plan for you is good, to give you a future and hope. Think about the blessings around you, your 3 lovely kids. The sun will shine brighter for you tomorrow hon. It is well with you.
DeleteThere's this programme on FOX "Judge Judy" or something like that. A particular case was that of a woman and her grand child who filed a case against a medical attendant. The issue was that d old woman took poison cos of her Ill health, she wanted to end it all. But when the paramedics arrived, the grand daughter told them d granny actually wanted to take her life and showed them the suicide note she wrote. But the guy in his defence was that his job is to save lives and not to allow people commit suicide. The granny is now asking d court to award her damages since the paramedic failed to allow her carry out her wish. The judge ruled that she had no right to take her own life unless she appeals to the state through a formal process. Therefore, the judge acquitted the paramedic and ruled that the woman be sent to a mental home. So, is suicide a crime? I think so; at least in the States, but remanding the 'suicidee' in prison? That I think is WRONG.
ReplyDeleteThere's the law and there's morality, suicide might be morally wrong but it isn't a crime cos you can't charge a dead person for dying. the paramedic isn't liable cos he was doing what was in his job description, saving lives. It has nothing to do with whether suicide is a crime or not. For those that want to end it all, remember the sun will come out tomorrow and may even shine brighter. It gets better, it really does.
DeleteThank you oh, why didn't they send the woman to prison? Like seriously, suing a paramedic, isn't it obvious that the lady is mentally disturbed.
DeleteAll shades of wrong.
ReplyDeleteStella even in germany suicide attempt is criminal offense if you are caught by the authority anywhere in the world trying to take your life it is an offence to be prosecute in court of law but it is left for her lawyer to prove to court that it was due to depression and insanity that lead to the action otherwise government has the right and power to take action against anyone thrying to commit suicide anywhere in law all over the world
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, attempted suicide is a crime in most jurisdiction but not when th culprit is medically proven to be in poor mental health.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there a presumption that ones decision to end it all is a psychological one? What proof does one need again to show that he/she has had a mental breakdown?
DeleteThe law of charging the suicidal patient should be reviewed.
ReplyDeleteI agree
DeleteThank you...
DeleteThe law needs to be reviewed, times are evolving and Nigeria is lagging behind. Mental health issues are real, people are depressed and it is no joke. Refer them to appropriate authorities.
What they are saying in essence is don't try, you must succeed. I've always thought suicide was selfish and weak but Nigeria instead of getting them the help they desperately need. You add to it by prosecuting them, the spend on lawyers and bail and court proceedings to what end? So you can send them to jail for trying and failing to kill themselves? A lot is wrong with this country. God help us.
ReplyDeleteMadam Stella, it's a standard that the law of the land must be respected, it is also the duty of the government to protect lives as much as possible. Are case is still a criminal case but her lawyer could prove it if she has a mental breakdown the Judge will send her for evaluation and if it's true She will be granted the privilege to seek help and for the 500k it's a bail condition she doesn't need to move the cash to the court the who ever bails her must show evidence that he/she has such amount to pay in case she jump bail.
ReplyDeleteThank you petterson at last someone get it right everyone were just talking blindly cause there is law and it must be respected nigerians are just arguing unnecessary we blind our eyes with sympathy and that makes us ignorant of the law the law has been there before her act and it must take effect so like i said it is left for her attorney to prove her insane and depress thank you once again petterson
DeleteThe fact that this is the law does not mean it is right. Why are laws changed, repealed and amended? The point we are making is such issues should not be taken to court. Do not prosecute someone who is trying to take their own life.
DeleteThe point is they need help, their problem is psychological.
People in this category are incapable of making the right decisions so they need support and not condemnation.
@ Mr Olayinka Femi you are welcome, @ Anon 18:25 let have these scenario; if you keep like #500M in custody of a friend or a family member because probably you guys need to execute a project and you are to finance while he/she monitor and the sharing formula is 80;20 in your favour, the second day you now heard he committed suicide and your money is no where to be found will you be happy?????? Now if someone was able to stop him at the point of committing that act will you still say this thing you are saying?????
DeleteYour life doesn't belong to you but to the state. That is the vacuum which the law has filled. But the state itself has failed in all ramifications to make the life worth living. The situation of the country is appalling.
ReplyDeleteSeriously our laws need to be reviewed but it is so painful dt the so called law makers r busy wearing academic gown up n down n many of dem aren't accountable. Even Britain where we borrowed these laws have stopped using ds backward laws. I mean how can we explain to the world that a woman who lost money probably her life savings want to end it cos she has given up on life and what our country can do is tel her to bring times 10 of why she wants to end her life which doesn't still guarantee dt she wouldn't be sentenced to life imprisonment. Then why did they rescue her, let her kuku jump into the Lagoon n die
Please darling your life does not belong to the state, the state tries to make life better and safe for its citizens. If your life belongs to the state, you won't have right to privacy, you also can't make decisions regarding your life like whether to have kids or not. Does the state bury you when you die? Please you're a citizen of a country not a slave to it. Suicide however is not and never the answer.
DeleteIgnorance is no excuse in law.......all over the world, suicide is a crime. Even the Holy books confirm that God frown at any human taking his own life.......
ReplyDeleteGbam!!!
DeleteThe judges have no right now to decide on the cases brought before them. It's the prosecutors that can decide not to prosecute or withdraw a Case or ask for a lower punishment. In this case, they can ask that the Mrs. Momoh be reminded to a mental home, if they have sense
ReplyDeleteIts included in the court rule that she be taken for psychiatric evaluation.........and put in protective custody until she perfect her bail.......people, this is law, it doesn't involve sentiment.....In the eye of the law, its seen as attempted murder even though the person is attempting to kill himself.......
ReplyDeleteAnywhere in the world, attempted suicide is a crime. Her lawyer need to prove to the judge beyond reasonable doubt that she was depressed as at the time she was trying to commit the act. If she committed it in the corner of her room, it would have been a different case.
ReplyDeleteShe wanted to commit suicide on a public property, its a big crime, thats where the government need to act use her case as a deterrent to others.
What do you know?
DeleteHow many people have they arraigned abroad for attempted suicide? Please back up your submission with practical examples.
People have gotten it twisted since their existence, maybe I am the only one who is thinking this way though. Who are you to tell me I cannot kill myself? Are you the one who will buy my coffin? Are you the one who will dig my ground? Are you the one who will embark on my afterlife journey? If my life belong to the state then why hasn't the state been taking care of the life? The law is messed up already , I don't need to emphasize on Someone intended suicide because she was duped, now they are asking her to get bail with something she lacks, how on earth is that even logical? Nigeria and Yeye, what a wonderful couple, happy married life sha.
ReplyDeleteStella sucide is not a crime but attempted sucide is a crime so if u want to kill urself u must succeed in the act so plan it well and make sure no failure. E.g drink sniper that one will ensure a successful suicide nd no crime commited.
ReplyDeleteIts is an offence but not a criminal one. Have you all ever thought of the people her death would've caused some degree of pain or discomfort.eg the person she is owing money what if the person is banking on that money to feed and take care of personal issues, her family, don't even what to go into what kind of traumatic effect it will have on them etc. There are stakeholders involved and am sure that is what the judges were looking at.
ReplyDeleteThey should take her for psych eval, and if she can't meet her bail condition, si rapu ya na prison there.
Your thinking process though.
DeleteFor someone to want to end it all, there is a mental breakdown and nothing matters to them, not children, husband, wife, family etc. They want to find peace which they think can only be gotten through death.
Now does this seem normal to you? I have issues, I am sure you have issues, why have you not killed yourself? Why have I not killed myself? Their problem is more of psychological and what they need is counselling and therapy.
Taking such persons to court has to be the height of insensitivity.
It is a crime for wasting everyone's time. Either you do it right or you will be prosecuted. That's all. And if she hasn't paid all her taxes, then she will be prosecuted for trying to evade paying taxes.
ReplyDeleteIt's in our laws, Section 327 of the CPC I believe. She will be charged with Misdemeanor and if found guilty, sentenced to a year in prison.
ReplyDelete