Akpabio Ignites Debate: Insists on Jail Time for Suicide Attempts

The Nigerian Senate has advanced a significant bill aimed at decriminalising attempted suicide, despite strong opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The bill, which seeks to replace punitive measures with medical treatment and rehabilitation for survivors, passed its second reading during a plenary session.

Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, the proposed legislation seeks to establish a national framework for suicide prevention and provide comprehensive support for individuals who survive suicide attempts. Central to the bill's purpose is addressing the inconsistency within Nigeria's legal system, where existing criminal laws conflict with the National Mental Health Act.

Currently, Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code criminalise attempted suicide, prescribing up to one year's imprisonment, a fine, or both, depending on the jurisdiction. This stands in stark contrast to the National Mental Health Act of 2021, which explicitly recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate medical intervention and provides a framework for mental healthcare and support. Senator Ekpenyong highlighted this contradiction, stating, "Our law presently speaks with two voices."

Leading the debate, Senator Ekpenyong passionately argued that criminalising suicide attempts discourages individuals from seeking much-needed help and often leads families to conceal such incidents, fearing prosecution. He emphasised that punitive measures can deepen the stigma associated with mental health conditions and hinder efforts to collect reliable data essential for national suicide prevention programmes. The bill, if passed, would mandate medical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up care instead of imprisonment, alongside provisions for crisis helplines, public education, training for various professionals including police officers, teachers, and health workers, and a national system for collecting suicide prevention data.

Support for the bill was voiced by several lawmakers. Senator Dayo Faduyile, representing Ondo South and a medical doctor, stressed that people who survive suicide attempts require medical attention rather than incarceration. He explained that depression and other mental health conditions can impair judgment, making treatment and recovery the more appropriate response. Senator Faduyile also noted the tragic reality of some suicide attempt survivors subsequently dying by suicide while in detention, arguing that imprisonment cannot adequately address underlying medical conditions. Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central also supported further consideration, advocating for input from medical practitioners, psychologists, and other stakeholders during a public hearing.

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio maintained his firm opposition, arguing that removing criminal punishment could inadvertently encourage suicide attempts. He made a controversial statement during the debate: "If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail." Akpabio insisted that attempted suicide should remain a criminal offence, despite calls to treat it as a mental health issue. He also called for the involvement of state Houses of Assembly during the public hearing to address potential conflicts with existing state laws.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele raised concerns regarding the application of the proposed law across states, given varying legal provisions, and urged the Senate to establish the extent of national applicability. Despite these concerns and Akpabio's strong stance, the bill successfully passed its second reading and has been referred to the Senate Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further consideration. It will undergo a public hearing before any further legislative action. It is important to note that the passage through second reading does not alter the existing law on attempted suicide, which remains a punishable offence in Nigeria.