Though abortions are
illegal in Nigeria, according to the US-based Guttmacher Institute, statistics
show that at least 1. 2 million induced abortions take place in various parts
of Nigeria every year, with the highest number coming from the South-South part
of the country, followed by the North-East and South-West. Furthermore, statistics
show that 10,000 women die every year in Nigeria from unsafe abortions, carried
out by untrained people in unsanitary conditions. This can be leveled down to
27 deaths a day. Abortions are legal, only when it is done to save the life of
the woman and two physicians must certify that the pregnancy poses a threat to
the life of the woman. More than 456,000 unsafe abortions are done in Nigeria
every year; the US Guttmacher Institute estimates.
illegal in Nigeria, according to the US-based Guttmacher Institute, statistics
show that at least 1. 2 million induced abortions take place in various parts
of Nigeria every year, with the highest number coming from the South-South part
of the country, followed by the North-East and South-West. Furthermore, statistics
show that 10,000 women die every year in Nigeria from unsafe abortions, carried
out by untrained people in unsanitary conditions. This can be leveled down to
27 deaths a day. Abortions are legal, only when it is done to save the life of
the woman and two physicians must certify that the pregnancy poses a threat to
the life of the woman. More than 456,000 unsafe abortions are done in Nigeria
every year; the US Guttmacher Institute estimates.
The law also frowns
strictly on abortions and provides accordingly in the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
2004. Which states in Section 228
that;
strictly on abortions and provides accordingly in the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
2004. Which states in Section 228
that;
Any person who, with intent to
procure miscarriage of a woman whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully
administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or
uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, is guilty of a
felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.
procure miscarriage of a woman whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully
administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or
uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, is guilty of a
felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.
Even women are prevented from trying to get rid of
their babies, as Section 229 further states that;
their babies, as Section 229 further states that;
229. Any
woman who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, whether she is or is not
with child, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious
thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or
permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her, is guilty of
a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
woman who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, whether she is or is not
with child, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious
thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or
permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her, is guilty of
a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
Any person who decides
to help another procure a miscarriage is also guilty of an offence as stated
below in Section 230;
to help another procure a miscarriage is also guilty of an offence as stated
below in Section 230;
230.
Any
person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person anything whatever,
knowing that it is intended to he unlawfully used to procure the miscarriage of
a woman, whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a felony, and is
liable to imprisonment for three years.
Any
person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person anything whatever,
knowing that it is intended to he unlawfully used to procure the miscarriage of
a woman, whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a felony, and is
liable to imprisonment for three years.
Such offenders however
cannot be arrested without an arrest warrant duly executed by the relevant
authorities.
cannot be arrested without an arrest warrant duly executed by the relevant
authorities.
There are certain groups
clamouring that provision should be made for people in peculiar situations
other than a threat to life, such as where the woman was raped by an assailant.
The question being asked is whether such women be forced to live with the results
of the shameful act which they will always hurt to remember? This clashes with
proponents of the school of thought that life is sacred and taking it should be
resisted in all fronts, most especially via capital punishment.
clamouring that provision should be made for people in peculiar situations
other than a threat to life, such as where the woman was raped by an assailant.
The question being asked is whether such women be forced to live with the results
of the shameful act which they will always hurt to remember? This clashes with
proponents of the school of thought that life is sacred and taking it should be
resisted in all fronts, most especially via capital punishment.
The debates will
definitely continue, however, as the law stands today, in Nigeria, abortions
are illegal, except on the condition of saving the life of the mother.
definitely continue, however, as the law stands today, in Nigeria, abortions
are illegal, except on the condition of saving the life of the mother.
What’s your opinion,
should abortions be made legal?
should abortions be made legal?
Adedunmade Onibokun, Esq.
@adedunmade