Senate President Godswill Akpabio has opposed a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, insisting that people who survive suicide attempts should be imprisoned under the existing law.
Akpabio made his position known on Tuesday during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River South. The bill seeks to replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical treatment, rehabilitation and other support measures.
“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,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President reiterated his opposition to the proposed legislation, noting that the upper chamber had yet to hold a public hearing on the bill.
“If you attempt it and don’t succeed, we will jail you. So, if you attempt it, you better succeed,” he said.
Despite Akpabio’s objection, the Senate passed the bill for second reading, allowing it to proceed to further legislative consideration.
Presenting the bill, Ekpenyong said Nigeria’s legal framework was inconsistent because the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention, while Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code continue to criminalise the act.
“Our law presently speaks with two voices. The National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention,” he said.
“Yet section 327 of the Criminal Code and section 231 of the Penal Code continue to expose the same person to criminal punishment.”
Ekpenyong warned that criminalising attempted suicide could discourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking help, while also prompting families to conceal suicide attempts for fear of prosecution and stigma.
“Criminalisation can discourage people from disclosing suicidal thoughts or seeking help. It may cause families to conceal attempts, health workers to avoid complete reporting, and communities to treat a medical emergency as a source of shame,” he said.
He urged lawmakers to reconsider the state’s response to people who survive suicide attempts, asking whether they should face prosecution or receive protection and medical assistance.
“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.
Ekpenyong said the proposed legislation would establish suicide prevention as a public health responsibility and ensure that people experiencing psychological distress receive treatment rather than punishment.
“By supporting its second reading, this senate will affirm that suicide prevention is a national public health responsibility, and that a person in acute distress should be helped to recover rather than punished for surviving,” he said.
He also clarified that decriminalising attempted suicide would not amount to encouraging the act or excusing anyone who assists another person to take their life.
“Decriminalising an attempt does not legalise or encourage suicide. Neither does it excuse anyone who procures, encourages, or assists any other person to take his or her life,” he said.
During the debate, Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta North, seconded the motion for the bill’s second reading but questioned how the proposed legislation would prevent suicide in practical terms. He asked Ekpenyong to clarify the bill’s objectives and the measures it proposed.
Other senators supported the proposed shift towards medical intervention, arguing that suicidal behaviour could be associated with depression and other mental health challenges requiring professional care.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, however, raised concerns about the legal implications of amending the existing criminal justice framework, particularly the application of federal legislation across states.
He noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act requires adoption by state houses of assembly for application within their respective jurisdictions, urging lawmakers to consider the legal implications to ensure the proposed reforms achieve their intended purpose.
Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, commended Ekpenyong for bringing the issue before the Senate, describing it as an important subject requiring wider public and professional debate. He said the bill’s passage through second reading would allow medical professionals, legal experts and other stakeholders to contribute to discussions on suicide prevention and the treatment of survivors.
Ningi also argued that people who attempt suicide should not automatically be treated as criminals without considering the circumstances surrounding their actions.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a framework for suicide prevention, early intervention, medical treatment and long-term support for survivors. It also proposes crisis helplines, medical assessment, referral services, rehabilitation and follow-up care.
Other provisions include public awareness campaigns, training for police officers, teachers and healthcare workers, and a national data system to strengthen suicide prevention efforts.
The bill was passed for second reading and referred to the relevant Senate committees on judiciary and health for further legislative consideration, including a public hearing.
Boluwatife Enome
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