Femi Ashekun/
A cryptic post by Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, hinting at an offence in Nigerian law that carries a one-year prison term for an attempt but no punishment if completed has sparked a fresh social media storm, with many X users calling for the arrest and prosecution of popular TikTok personality, Habeeb Hamzat, better known as Peller.
The post, widely interpreted as referring to the rarely discussed criminal offence of attempted suicide under Nigerian law, drew immediate reactions from netizens who linked it to recent distressing footage and claims circulating online about Peller.
Several X users were outspoken. One user, @userA, wrote, “This better be about Peller, because his nuisance has to end. In August he faked his kidnap, now it’s suicide. You guys better give him at least 1 year in Kirikiri.”
Another, @userB, labelled it “The Peller Offence.” @userC wrote, “Attempted suicide. Now go arrest Peller,” while @userD simply questioned, “Suicide?” @userE called it a “Peller case study,” smiling as if to highlight the absurdity of the situation. @userF asked, “So you’re saying Peller will do jail for a fail suicide attempt?” and @userG warned, “Kindly note that Peller is guilty and still roaming.”
In contrast, @userH urged caution, commenting, “Guilty based on your own investigation or what you saw and read online. You haven’t met the Peller one on one; I doubt if you have even seen him before. O ga!”
Under Section 327 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year. The provision criminalises a failed attempt at suicide, even though a successful act is not punishable because the person is deceased and cannot be prosecuted.
Legal reform efforts are underway to remove the punitive element and replace it with compulsory counselling and community service, reflecting growing advocacy against treating mental health crises as criminal acts.
This latest outbreak of online commentary comes on the heels of a dramatic livestream incident on Sunday when Peller crashed his Mercedes-Benz on the Lekki–Epe Expressway during a live broadcast, visibly distressed and making emotional remarks that sparked concern among followers.
He was subsequently hospitalised, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced plans to prosecute him for alleged reckless and distracted driving tied to livestreaming at the wheel.
The FRSC’s move reflects mounting concerns among regulators about a trend of influencers flouting road safety laws for online content.
Amid the aftermath of the crash and online debate, Peller’s relationship with fellow TikTok creator, Jarvis, also known as Elizabeth Amadou, made headlines again.
On Tuesday, Jarvis confirmed in a livestream that the two had ended their relationship, urging followers to stop mocking Peller and focus on support and healing. She clarified that emotional regulation issues, not ill intent, underpinned the challenges they faced together.
Their relationship has long been a topic of public fascination, building from initial collaborations and viral moments to a high-profile romance that drew both admiration and criticism.
Recent events, however, have intensified discussion about the emotional toll of online fame and personal struggles played out in public view.
Experts and advocacy groups have increasingly criticised Nigeria’s criminalisation of attempted suicide as outdated and counterproductive to addressing mental health needs.
Legislative proposals in the National Assembly seek to replace imprisonment with community service and mandatory counselling. For now, however, the provision remains on the books, and social media users continue to debate its relevance in cases like Peller’s.
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