Akpabio Insists on Jail Term for Suicide Attempt

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has opposed calls to remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide, even as a bill seeking to decriminalise the act and establish a national suicide prevention framework passed its second reading in the Senate.

Akpabio argued that eliminating imprisonment as a punishment could encourage suicide attempts. He also said the proposed changes required careful consideration because the issue involves both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code, with input from state Houses of Assembly needed to prevent legal conflicts.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, representing Cross River South, seeks to establish a framework for suicide prevention, decriminalise attempted suicide and provide support for survivors. It aims to address inconsistencies between existing criminal laws and the National Mental Health Act, which recognises the need for medical intervention during mental health emergencies.

During the debate on Tuesday, Asuquo said the central issue was whether people who survive suicide attempts should face prosecution or receive medical and psychological care.

He explained that Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code criminalise attempted suicide, while the National Mental Health Act treats the situation as a psychiatric emergency requiring appropriate intervention.

According to the senator, the proposed legislation would replace punitive measures with medical assessment, treatment and continued support for survivors.

Asuquo warned that criminalising suicide attempts could discourage people from seeking help, lead families to conceal incidents and prevent health workers from reporting cases promptly. He added that the existing approach could deepen the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and undermine efforts to collect reliable data for suicide prevention programmes.

He said the bill would introduce coordinated prevention services, crisis response mechanisms, referral systems and support programmes for survivors. It would also encourage public education and training for health workers, teachers, law enforcement officers and emergency responders to help them recognise warning signs and connect vulnerable people with appropriate services.

The sponsor maintained that decriminalisation must be accompanied by accessible medical and psychological care, as well as adequate funding and institutional support to implement prevention policies.

Supporting the proposal, Senator Dayo Faduyile, representing Ondo South, said attempted suicide should be treated primarily as a medical emergency rather than a criminal offence.

Drawing on his experience as a medical practitioner, Faduyile argued that depression and other mental health conditions could affect a person’s judgement, making treatment and recovery more appropriate responses than imprisonment.

He also warned that police custody and correctional facilities were not equipped to address the underlying problems faced by people experiencing mental health crises.

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, also backed further consideration of the bill, describing it as an important public health and legal issue that deserved broader attention.

Ningi said the legislative process would provide an opportunity for psychologists, medical professionals and other specialists to contribute to the development of a more effective national response. He added that people respond differently to difficult circumstances and should not automatically be treated as criminals when they struggle to cope.

However, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, raised concerns about the bill’s nationwide application. He noted that provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act do not automatically apply uniformly across all states, depending on the laws adopted by their respective Houses of Assembly.

Bamidele said lawmakers needed to clarify the extent to which the proposed changes would apply across the country before proceeding further.

Following the second reading, the Senate referred the bill to its Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration.

The proposal will undergo additional scrutiny, including consideration of its legal implications and consultation with relevant stakeholders, before any final decision is made.