Senate President Godswill Akpabio has kicked against moves to decriminalise attempted suicide, insisting that anyone who survives a suicide attempt should be sent to prison.
Akpabio made his position known on Tuesday as the Senate debated a bill seeking to replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical treatment, rehabilitation and psychological support.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, scaled second reading despite the Senate President’s opposition.
During the debate, Akpabio declared that attempted suicide remained a criminal offence under existing Nigerian laws, warning that survivors could face imprisonment.
“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.
The remark came as Ekpenyong urged lawmakers to reconsider the country’s approach to suicide attempts, arguing that survivors needed medical intervention rather than prosecution.
Akpabio later reiterated his position, saying, “If you attempt it and don’t succeed, we will jail you.”
He also cautioned that the proposed reform required careful consideration because attempted suicide was addressed under both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code.
According to him, state legislatures would need to be involved in the process to prevent conflicts between existing laws and any new legislation.
Ekpenyong, however, maintained that Nigeria’s legal framework was contradictory, noting that the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring intervention, while the Criminal Code and Penal Code still provide for punishment.
“Our law presently speaks with two voices,” the senator said, citing Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code as provisions that expose survivors to criminal punishment.
He warned that criminalising attempted suicide could discourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking help and force families to conceal incidents for fear of prosecution.
The lawmaker argued that survivors should receive medical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up support instead of facing criminal charges.
“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 proposed legislation also seeks to establish crisis helplines, train police officers, teachers and health workers, promote public awareness and create a national data system to strengthen suicide prevention efforts.
Ekpenyong stressed that removing criminal penalties alone would not solve the problem, insisting that accessible mental health services and early intervention were also necessary.
He urged his colleagues to support the bill, saying Nigerians experiencing psychological crises deserved care, protection and a credible path to recovery.
Despite Akpabio’s objections, the Senate passed the bill for second reading, allowing it to proceed to further legislative scrutiny.
The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further action, including a public hearing.
The bill’s passage at this stage does not mean it has become law. Attempted suicide remains subject to existing legal provisions pending the completion of the legislative process and any eventual enactment of the proposed reform.
Don’t Miss Out! Join our WhatsApp Channel for instant news updates. Click here to join
