“Anyone Who Attempts Suicide And Fails To Die Will Go To Jail” – Akpabio

The Nigerian Senate has successfully advanced a legislative bill aimed at decriminalizing attempted suicide and establishing a comprehensive national framework for mental health rehabilitation, notwithstanding vocal opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who contended that the offense should continue to carry prison terms.

Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), the proposed legislation is designed to resolve existing legal contradictions in Nigerian jurisprudence.

Ekpenyong pointed out that while the National Mental Health Act designates attempted suicide as a mental health crisis requiring medical intervention, Section 327 of the Criminal Code alongside Section 231 of the Penal Code still treat the act as a criminal offense.

The lawmaker emphasized that decriminalizing the act alone is insufficient without providing robust support structures, noting that suicide stems from complex psychological factors demanding compassionate medical care rather than penalization.

“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 queried during floor deliberations.

He cautioned that criminal penalties discourage distressed individuals from seeking professional help, drive families to conceal incidents, and distort national health statistics.

Furthermore, he argued that maintaining criminal sanctions might inadvertently pressure individuals into ensuring their attempts are fatal to avoid legal consequences.

The draft legislation outlines a shift from incarceration toward compulsory mental health assessments, medical referrals, psychiatric counseling, and follow-up care.

It also incorporates provisions for nationwide emergency crisis hotlines, specialized training for law enforcement personnel, educators, and medical staff, alongside public awareness campaigns and a centralized national database for suicide prevention.

Despite these provisions, Senate President Akpabio insisted that legal penalties must be retained to deter potential attempts.

“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail,” Akpabio remarked.

The Senate President noted that because the issue intersects with both the Criminal and Penal codes, wide consultations involving State Houses of Assembly during public hearings will be necessary to prevent jurisdictional conflicts.

The legislation has subsequently been forwarded to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further review ahead of scheduled public hearings.