By Onyeche Igwe
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has reiterated his commitment to reviewing the criminalisation of suicide in the country, saying it is a work in progress.
The AGF stated this through his spokesperson, Kamarudeen Ogundele, in a conversation with our correspondent.
UNBEATABLE NEWS reported that in May 2024, the AGF received a delegation of mental health actors from a non-governmental organisation, the Asido Foundation, where he promised to work with other stakeholders to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with persons suffering from mental health disorders.
The Founder of Asido, Dr Jibril Abdulmalik, asked the AGF to help review the law sentencing people for attempted suicide and the implementation of the Mental Health Act signed into law by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023.
Abdulmalik said medical evidence showed that all over the world, 80 to 90 per cent of those who attempted suicide had background mental illness, especially depression.
Speaking to our correspondent on the development, Ogundele noted that health was a top priority for the government.
“The AGF is passionate about mental health and is committed to his promise to review the criminalisation of attempted suicide.
“However, this requires the involvement and support of other stakeholders. There is work in progress, so Nigerians should be patient for the next line of action. A plan is already in the works,” he said.
