In the year 2002, the popular singer, Celine Dion sang a song where she said in life two things are inevitable (“rain and tax”)!!!
She forgot to add that death is also inevitable!!
While it is true that death is inevitable (the whole world), however the manner of death is what we cannot predict or control in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, it appears we have resigned ourselves to our fate of poor leadership by the popular saying: “something must kill a man, one day”.
Out of all the listed causes of premature deaths and life expectancy, it appears that the number one killer is the inept leadership style of those who rule Nigeria both at the federal government and State government level.
By a simple online search, it is possible to see that life expectancy in Nigeria in the year 2014 under GEJ was 50 years, in the year 2019 under PMB was 51 years and under PBAT is now 52 years as of 2024.
So it appears that what Nigerians are facing can be described by using the definitions of a legal jargon relating to death namely: under “clueless” GEJ it was Homicide, under “incorrigible” PMB it was Murder and under “Emi-Lokan” PBAT it is now manslaughter.
Each of these three words (homicide, murder and manslaughter) carry different meanings and different penalties in the eyes of the law.
Below is a detailed description as follows:
“Homicide is a general term for the killing of a person, while murder is a specific type of homicide that involves intent to kill. Murder is considered a more serious crime than other types of homicide, and carries harsher penalties.
Homicide
An umbrella term for the killing of a person, whether intentional or unintentional
Can include lawful killings, such as self-defense, hunting accidents, or car accidents.
Murder
A specific type of unlawful homicide that involves intent to kill or cause serious harm
Also includes killing without premeditation, but with malice aforethought
Malice aforethought is a mental state that includes intent to kill, intent to cause serious harm, or reckless disregard for human life.
Manslaughter
A type of unlawful homicide that involves unintentional killing, with voluntary and involuntary classifications.
Manslaughter penalties are typically lower than murder penalties
Legal outcomes depend on proving intent, causation, and recklessness.”
Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja is the Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS).
