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The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide, establish a national suicide prevention framework and provide rehabilitation for survivors, despite opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who insists that the act should remain punishable by imprisonment.
Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, the bill seeks to address what he described as a contradiction between Nigeria’s mental health legislation and existing criminal laws.
Ekpenyong argued that while the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring treatment, Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code still criminalise the act.
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He said decriminalisation would be incomplete without accessible mental health services, stressing that suicide has complex causes and requires a humane, health-focused response.
“At the heart of this bill is a simple question: when a Nigerian survives a suicide attempt, should the first response of the state be prosecution or protection?” he asked.
The senator said criminalisation discourages people from seeking help, forces families to conceal suicide attempts and contributes to inadequate data on the problem.
He warned that continued punishment could make people experiencing severe distress fear seeking help, potentially increasing the risk of fatal outcomes.
The bill proposes replacing imprisonment with mandatory assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up support. It also provides for crisis helplines, training for police officers, teachers and health workers, public education and a national data system for suicide prevention.
However, Akpabio maintained that attempted suicide should remain a criminal offence, arguing that removing the penalties could encourage the act.
“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail,” the Senate President said.
Akpabio added that the issue involves both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code, requiring input from state Houses of Assembly during a public hearing to avoid legal conflicts.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further legislative action and a public hearing.
