The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria and establish a national framework for suicide prevention, rehabilitation and support for survivors.
Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, the bill seeks to address the conflict between the National Mental Health Act, which recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring treatment, and provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code that criminalise the act.
Ekpenyong argued that criminalisation discourages people from seeking help and encourages families to conceal suicide attempts. He said the proposed legislation would replace imprisonment with mandatory assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up support.
The bill also proposes crisis helplines, public education, training for police officers, teachers and health workers, and a national data system for suicide prevention.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio opposed decriminalisation, arguing that removing the penalties could encourage suicide attempts. He insisted that attempted suicide should remain a criminal offence, saying, “If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail.”
Akpabio also called for State Houses of Assembly to contribute during a public hearing, noting that the issue involves both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further legislative action and a public hearing.