NAVIGATING THE LEGAL, ETHICAL AND MORAL DIMENSION OF EUTHANASIA IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Euthanasia often referred to as `mercy killing` or `assisted suicide` is a multifaceted and highly contentious issue that has sparked fervent debate worldwide. Defined as the deliberate termination of a person’s life to alleviate suffering, it poses intricate ethical, legal and moral dilemma particularly within the Nigerian context. It challenges deeply ingrained beliefs regarding the sanctity of life, individual autonomy and the role of medical professionals in end of life care. Despite global debates on individual autonomy, euthanasia remains largely taboo in Nigeria as it grapples with deeply rooted cultural and religious beliefs which shape societal attitude and practices making the discourse particularly nuanced and multifaceted. Under the Nigerian law, it is trite law that murder is a crime but a clearly defined stand has not been taken on euthanasia. The Nigerian populace views euthanasia as a perplexing paradox, a masked form of murder, a situation where the supposed healer becomes a killer and so on. The aim of this research work is to navigate through the ethical principles, legal frameworks and moral sensitivities surrounding the right to a dignified death taking into account Nigerians rich cultural diversity. This research is vital as it exposes the practice of medicine in Nigeria especially at the end of life care: a situation nobody knows with certainty what is happening. People die in ICU without explanation, and there are claims that doctor one way or the other hasten the death of the patients. There is no adequate legal framework that regulate end of life care in Nigeria and there’s need that some rules and regulations must be provided and laws amended based on the findings of this research, This essay is doctrinal in nature: primary and secondary sources like Constitution, statutes (Criminal Code and the Penal Code), law reports, journals, and books on euthanasia are going to be used. The subject matter is not new in Nigeria, different scholar and authors have written and commented on the issues of euthanasia and it ended only in their works and never made any impact to the society. This research work was able to come up with practical solutions like the Enactment of Specific Legislation on Euthanasia, embarking on value orientation and cultural preservation, the need to Address Legal Ambiguity, etc. as practical solutions to the debate surrounding Euthanasia in Nigeria today.