Senate President Godswill Akpabio has opposed a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, insisting that anyone who attempts suicide and survives should face imprisonment.
Akpabio made his position known on Tuesday during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South.
“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.
He repeated the threat during the debate, declaring: “If you attempt it and don’t succeed, we will jail you. So, if you attempt it, you better succeed.”
The Senate President maintained his opposition even as the chamber passed the bill for second reading, allowing it to proceed to further legislative consideration.
He also noted that the Senate had yet to conduct a public hearing on the proposed legislation.
Presenting the bill, Ekpenyong argued that Nigeria’s legal framework was inconsistent because the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention, while the Criminal Code and Penal Code still prescribe criminal punishment.
“Our law presently speaks with two voices. The National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention,” the senator 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.
He said the fear of prosecution and stigma could also cause families to conceal suicide attempts and prevent health workers from reporting cases fully.
“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 whether survivors should face prosecution or receive protection and medical care.
“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 senator said passing the bill would establish suicide prevention as a public health responsibility and ensure that people experiencing severe psychological distress received 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.
Ekpenyong stressed that decriminalising attempted suicide would neither encourage the act nor excuse anyone who assisted or persuaded 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, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, seconded the motion for the bill’s second reading but sought clarification on how the proposed legislation would prevent suicide and the practical measures it would introduce.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele raised concerns about the legal implications of amending the existing criminal justice framework, particularly whether the proposed changes would apply nationwide.
He noted that states must adopt the Administration of Criminal Justice Act for it to apply within their jurisdictions and urged the Senate to examine the implications carefully.
Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, commended Ekpenyong for raising the issue, saying the proposed legislation would provide an opportunity for medical professionals, legal experts and other stakeholders to contribute to the debate.
He also argued that people who attempt suicide should not automatically be treated as criminals without considering the circumstances.
The bill proposes crisis helplines, medical assessments, referral services, rehabilitation and follow-up care for survivors.
It also seeks to promote public awareness, train police officers, teachers and healthcare workers, and establish a national data system to strengthen suicide prevention.
Under the proposed framework, people who survive suicide attempts would receive appropriate medical care and continuing support rather than face imprisonment.
The Senate subsequently referred the bill to the relevant committees on judiciary and health for further consideration, including a public hearing.
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