By Cynthia Johnson
A man in Igbologun, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, who was prevented from attempting suicide on Wednesday could be facing prosecution if he survives the ordeal.
Quest Times reports that the thirty-four-year-old man, whose name was withheld, was seen drinking a substance suspected to be an insecticide when a labourer in the next compound raised the alarm.
Speaking with newsmen, the labourer, who identified himself simply as Jamiu, said he saw the man drinking from a white bottle that he recognized as an insecticide. He immediately began shouting to get people’s attention, and people rushed to the man’s compound to stop him.
“That Tuesday morning around 10.30 a.m. while I was at a building site, I looked into the next compound and saw one man drinking something from a white bottle that I recognised as an insecticide.
“Immediately I saw him, I started shouting, people gathered and rushed into his compound to stop him. As people were gathering, I then ran to the police station to report. Policemen came and rushed him to the hospital.”
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the man is currently under the protective custody of the police in the hospital while indicating that the man may be prosecuted, as “Attempted suicide is a felony because it involves taking life.”
“Charging the suspect to court depends on the outcome of his medical treatment. If he survives it and he is strong enough to be arraigned, yes, we will arraign him.
“He is still in hospital. Once he is discharged, yes. A law has been broken; a crime has been committed. Attempted suicide is a crime, so, we will take him to court. It is now left to the magistrate to discretionally discharge and acquit him,” Hundeyin concluded.