Senate President Godswill Akpabio has opposed moves to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, insisting that survivors should face imprisonment, as the Senate passed a bill seeking to replace criminal punishment with medical treatment and rehabilitation for a second reading.
By: Tunji Okunlola
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, proposes a shift towards treating attempted suicide as a mental health emergency rather than a criminal offence.
During the debate, Akpabio maintained that attempted suicide should remain a crime under the existing legal framework.
“As far as we are concerned, we are saying that suicide is a crime for now. Therefore, if you attempt it, you better succeed. If you don’t succeed, we will send you to prison,” he said.
He later reiterated his position, stating: “If you attempt it and don’t succeed, we will jail you.”
Ekpenyong, however, urged lawmakers to reconsider the legal approach, arguing that criminalising attempted suicide could deepen stigma and discourage people experiencing psychological distress from seeking help.
“Mr President, it is beyond that. I am only addressing the stigma associated with it. For now, we believe this 10th Senate can change and decriminalise it. It is a mental health issue,” the senator said.
Bill Proposes Treatment Instead of Prosecution
Presenting the proposed legislation, Ekpenyong said Nigeria’s legal framework contains conflicting approaches to attempted suicide.
He cited the National Mental Health Act, which provides for a health-focused response to mental health emergencies, alongside Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code, which criminalise attempted suicide.
“Our law presently speaks with two voices. The National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention. Yet section 327 of the Criminal Code and section 231 of the Penal Code continue to expose the same person to criminal punishment,” he said.
According to the senator, criminalisation may prevent people from disclosing suicidal thoughts, discourage survivors from seeking assistance and lead families to conceal suicide attempts because of social stigma.
He urged the Senate to support a framework that prioritises care, protection and recovery for people who survive suicide attempts.
“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?” Ekpenyong asked.
Under the proposed legislation, survivors would receive appropriate medical assessments, referrals, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up support rather than face criminal prosecution.
The bill also seeks to establish crisis helplines, train police officers, teachers and healthcare workers, promote public awareness and create a national data system to strengthen suicide prevention efforts.
Ekpenyong stressed that decriminalisation alone would not address the problem without accessible mental health services and coordinated support for people experiencing psychological crises.
Akpabio Calls for Further Legislative Scrutiny
While maintaining his opposition to the proposed reform, Akpabio said the bill required careful consideration because attempted suicide is addressed under both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code.
He also pointed to the need to involve state legislatures during the public hearing to avoid conflicts between applicable laws.
The Senate President noted that the chamber had yet to hold a public hearing on the proposal, indicating that further scrutiny would be required before lawmakers could reach a final decision.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further legislative action, including a public hearing.
Its passage for second reading means lawmakers have agreed to continue considering the proposal. It does not constitute final passage, presidential assent, or an immediate change to Nigeria’s existing laws on attempted suicide.
The proposed reform therefore remains subject to further legislative consideration.
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