Crime
Psychiatrists: Marriage To Wrong Person Can Trigger Suicidal Thoughts, Depression
Psychiatrists: Marriage To Wrong Person Can Trigger Suicidal Thoughts, Depression
A toxic marriage with frequent conflicts due to marrying the wrong person could have a devastating impact on one’s mental health, according to psychiatrists.
The mental health experts cautioned that marrying the wrong partner could lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts, stressing that marital conflict negatively affects the mental health of both husbands and wives.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians emphasised the importance of choosing the right partner, pointing out that marrying someone not compatible might also lead to persistent stress, regret, and anxiety.
There has been a disturbing trend of individuals taking their own lives due to marital problems and related issues.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that this alarming trend has been observed in various cases, including two recent incidents involving Nigerian nationals residing in the United States.
In one of the cases, a 64-year-old Nigerian professor at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, Chukwudubem Okafor, fatally shot his Jamaican wife, Cheryl, before taking his own life in a tragic murder-suicide.
According to Detective Joel Vonnille of the Berks County Coroner’s Office, the investigation revealed that the couple had marital problems, which led to the devastating incident.
In another incident, a 36-year-old Nigerian cardiologist based in the United States, Dr. Ikenna Erinne, reportedly committed suicide after losing a child support case to his ex-wife.
The prolonged divorce battle, including the custody of their children, had taken a toll on Dr. Erinne, who was ordered to pay $15,000 in monthly child support.
These tragic incidents highlight the growing concern of marital problems leading to mental health issues and, in extreme cases, suicide.
Reacting, some mental health experts who spoke with our correspondent, stressed that marrying the wrong partner could have severe consequences on one’s mental health, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies.
A Psychiatrist, Dr Sunday Amosu emphasised the significance of selecting a compatible marriage partner.
Amosu, who is the Head of Drug Addiction Treatment Education Research at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, noted that ignoring parental advice and proceeding with a marriage that was not approved could lead to a range of problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies.
According to the mental health physician, when individuals enter into a marriage without proper guidance and support, they may struggle with feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.
He explained that this could be particularly challenging when the relationship turns sour, and the individual feels unable to seek help from their parents or other trusted authorities.
Amosu stressed the importance of pre-marital counseling, noting that many people get into problems because they didn’t undergo counseling before getting married.
He advised individuals to seek the services of professional counselors, mentors, or accountability partners who can provide guidance and support during and after marriage.
The psychiatrist also noted that marital problems could have severe consequences on mental health, including depression, anxiety disorders, and even suicidal tendencies.
He emphasised that individuals should prioritise their mental health and well-being when choosing a partner, rather than ignoring potential red flags or sacrificing their happiness for the sake of the relationship.
“So, people should not die in suffering. When there is violence, don’t keep quiet. Don’t die in silence. Cry out. If you cry out, the solution may be on the way. Somebody may come to your rescue.
“We know that sometimes the couple may need to separate for some time and later come together again rather than being killed like a chicken. I think people should not die in silence. They should come out.
“What is yours will always be yours. We encourage people to come out and speak out. If this man will marry you, he will still marry you. If this lady will marry you, she will still marry you. If you go into marriage under deceit, and this person gets that discomfort, he or she may leave you. And the fear you had at the beginning of not losing, ultimately will still happen. Then is it worth the trouble? We must be sincere in marriage,” he stressed.
Speaking further on how marriage can lead to mental breakdown, the psychiatrist added, “It has also been found that marital discord usually precedes depression in those who are married. So, another group of people are those who have suffered a mental breakdown, because they didn’t tell their spouse, whether it is the husband or the wife, how exactly they feel.
When either of the partners discovers, usually a lack of trust will come in.
“When there is a lack of trust, the person will not trust again; it will be a serious one. And sometimes the marriage may break down.
“Also, when there are major life challenges that people go through, maybe exit events, somebody suddenly dies, it is a sort of kidnapping, ritualism, an armed robber came to the house and raped the wife in the presence of the husband, they may not enjoy that relationship again.
“These are major life traumas. Even with the stresses that we go through, and the challenge of our children; maybe they are not doing well in school as expected. So, all those things will tend to people developing depression.
“Even physical illness. When they have some physical illness and they have to use medication for a long time, people have cancer. They also develop depression.
“So, all these are in the context of a relationship. If a partner is not aware, there will be a problem later.”
Continuing, the mental health physician said, “Today, it is important that our youth must be patient when it comes to relationships. Even for parents, we must be able to guide our children appropriately.
“What we need is to support them, remove sentiment, and be sure that they’ll be able to live together and all the necessary support that they need in marriage, we must be able to give them.
If they are not able to cope, if one partner is not happy, they may also have a mental breakdown. Most of the time, it is usually with depression. So, parents need to be careful.
“Youth must be sure of what they are going into. Like I always warn, if parents are saying no, please be careful. If you are a male like me and you have younger siblings who are female, if you bring somebody and they don’t approve, you need to be very careful.
“People must be careful. We must make an informed decision and be sure that we are making the right decision. If not, sometimes people will have to live with regret for the rest of their lives.”
On his part, a psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State, Dr. Oyebode Fadipe emphasised the importance of choosing the right partner.
According to him, marrying someone who is not compatible with you can lead to a lot of conflict and stress.
Fadipe explained that when individuals are in a relationship with someone who does not understand or support them, it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
He further stated that when individuals are in a relationship with someone who does not share their values or goals, it could lead to feelings of frustration and resentment.
He noted that marrying the wrong person can also lead to a loss of identity.
Psychiatrists
When you’re in a relationship with someone who is controlling or manipulative, you can start to lose sense of who you are and what you want,” he said.
The psychiatrist noted that it is essential for individuals to take the time to get to know someone before committing to marriage.
He warned, “Rushing into a marriage without properly getting to know the person can lead to disastrous consequences.
“Being able to communicate effectively with your partner is crucial for building a strong and healthy relationship.”
The physician stressed the need for individuals to prioritise their mental health and well-being when choosing a partner.
“You should never feel like you are sacrificing your happiness or well-being for the sake of a relationship,” he said.
UniCal Suspends Nine Students for One Academic Session Over Examination Misconduct
The Senate of the University of Calabar has suspended nine students for one academic session over their involvement in examination misconduct.
Eereporter.com
According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Unit, made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday, the suspension was conveyed to the affected students in letters signed by the Registrar, Dr Chukwuka Icha.
The action, the university said, followed the approval of the Senate based on recommendations by its Examination Misconduct Committee.
“The affected students have been suspended for the 2026/2027 academic session and are expected to resume their studies in the 2027/2028 academic session.
UniCal
“Five of the affected students are from the Department of Theatre and Media Studies, Faculty of Arts.
The university directed the Acting Chief Security Officer, deans, heads of departments and other relevant units to take note of the suspension and ensure full compliance with the directive.
Eereporter.com
Nigerian Police Arrest Suspect Over ₦3m Kidnap-and-kill Threat in Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with a kidnap-and-kill threat made against a 50-year-old resident of Seni Salla Village, Saki, and members of his family.
Eereporter.com
The Command said the arrest followed a report received by the police and a subsequent intelligence-led intervention.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, and issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the case was brought to the attention of the police on September 19, 2026, at about 6:20pm when the complainant, Metu Jilani, reported that he had received threatening telephone calls from unknown persons on September 13.
“According to him, the callers claimed that they had been contracted to kidnap and kill him and his family, while warning that any attempt to flee would result in the abduction of his younger brother,” the statement said.
The police said that after establishing the nature of the threat, the callers proceeded to make a financial demand.
“To facilitate the payment, they provided him with an account belonging to a Point-of-Sale operator, one Muhydeen Salihu of Gwasoro Village, via Kosubosu, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and directed him to pay the sum of ₦3 million into the account,” the statement said.
According to the Command, the complainant transferred ₦100,000 into the designated account instead of the full amount demanded.
“The transaction subsequently provided an investigative lead, as attention was focused on the persons who would attempt to access the money and their possible connection to the threats,” it said.
“While attempting to collect the funds, Abdullahi was apprehended, whereas Liman escaped from the scene,” the statement said.
The Command said that following the arrest, the suspect was attacked by an angry mob before police operatives intervened.
“Following the arrest, the suspect was attacked by an angry mob before Police operatives intervened and took him to the Hospital, for medical attention,” the statement said.
“He is currently on admission, while concerted efforts are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplice and determine the full circumstances surrounding the threat, including the identities and roles of other persons who may be connected with the case,” it added.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, has directed a thorough investigation into the matter and ordered sustained efforts to apprehend all persons found to be connected with the offence, according to the statement.
Police
The Command further urged members of the public to promptly report threats, suspicious movements and other actionable information to the police.
“Timely reporting remains critical to enabling effective intervention and preventing criminal activities,” the statement concluded.
Eereporter.com
How Bauchi Accountant-General Transferred State Funds to Private Company – Witness Explains
Trial of the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammed Jaja continued on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu with a witness revealing how Jaja diverted state funds to a private company.
Eereporter.com
Jaja is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , alongside Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga and Muhammed Aminu Bose, for alleged corruption.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended five-count charge of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1,635,270,350.9 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-five Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Naira, Nine Kobo).
Prosecution counsel, Ekele E. Iheanacho, SAN told the court that the matter was for trial before calling in the first witness, PW1 to testify in the court. The prosecution witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, UBA, said her line of duty include among others receiving requests from law enforcement agencies, responding to enquiries and any other duty assigned to her by the bank’s Chief compliance officer.
The EFCC produced the state account statement and written statement of the bank to support its claim in the court.
It is alleged that the defendants, as signatories to Bauchi State sub-treasury accounts transferred monies from the state Sub-Treasury Accounts to JASFAD Resources Enterprises managed by the first defendant, Aliyu Abubakar.
When the prosecution counsel asked the witness to explain the transaction that happened on 29 October 2024, as well as further transactions, she said, “My Lord, on the 29 of October 2024, we have three credit transfers into the account of JASFAD from the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account. We have a transfer of N13,144,500, we also had a transfer of N17,169,300, and there is a transfer of N46,030,500.
Providing details of the transactions in the account, the UBA staff said: “On the seventh of November 2024, we had a credit transfer of N17,886,250, but the teller’s details were not captured. It just showed that transfers were made. On 15 November, we had two credit transfers transferred by order of the Sub-treasury, Bauchi Account the amount is N12,215,000 and N16,919,750 respectively.
“ On 19 November, 2024, we had another transfer by order of the sub-treasury Bauchi account for N90,373,550. On November 22,2024, we had a credit transfer from sub-treasury Bauchi account for N140,087,500. Then on 24 December, 2024, we had two credit transfers by order of sub-treasury Bauchi Account, the first one is for N24,192,000 and the second transfer is N48,892,500. On 27 December, 2024, we had two credit transfers by order of sub-treasury Bauchi account into JASFAD, the first is N335,040,000 and the second transfer is for N300,000,000.
“On the 31 December, we had two transfers by order of the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account of N14,285,527.20k. The second transfer is for N26,975,000.
“On 25 February, 2025 we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi Account to JASFAD Resources of N19,840,000, and N13,020,000. On March 3, 2025, we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi account for N16,105,223.70k. On March 5, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N56,642,500. On March 7, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N45,923,790, on March 10, 2025, we had a transfer of N11,253,500. On March 12 2025, we had two credit transfer from sub-treasury Bauchi account to JASFAD Resources Enterprises, the first transfer is for N49,280,000, the second transfer is for N30,720,000, while on March 14, 2025, we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi account of N28,262,500.”
EFCC
The witness informed the court that on 25 February, 2025, there were two credits from the Sub-treasury Bauchi account to JASFAD Resources account. According to the witness, the first transfer was of N19,840,000 while the second transfer was for N13,020,000. She said “On December 27, 2024, there were three transfers, the first one is N335,040,000, the second one is N300,000,000 while the third is N26,975,000.
Counsels to the defendants said they would take another date to cross-examine the witness.
Justice Egwuatu thereafter adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026, for continuation of cross examination of the witness and continuation of trial.
Eereporter.com
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