Senate Advances Bill to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide
_Akpabio Calls for Comprehensive Public Hearing to Align Federal and State Laws_
The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a national framework for suicide prevention, rehabilitation and support.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), seeks to address contradictions in Nigeria’s legal framework. While the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring medical attention, Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code still criminalise the act.
Leading debate on the bill, Senator Ekpenyong said the existing provisions discourage persons experiencing psychological distress from seeking timely help and compel families to conceal attempts for fear of prosecution and stigma.
“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.
He said suicide is a complex public health challenge that requires a coordinated response involving health professionals, government institutions, families and communities, noting that continued criminalisation undermines data collection and prevention efforts.
The proposed legislation seeks to replace imprisonment with mandatory medical assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up support for survivors. It also provides for crisis intervention helplines, specialised training for police officers, teachers and healthcare workers, public enlightenment programmes and a national data system to strengthen prevention efforts.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, expressed reservations about outright decriminalisation, maintaining that removing penalties could inadvertently encourage the act. He stressed the need to carefully consider the wider legal and societal implications.
Akpabio observed that the matter involves provisions of both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code, making it necessary to involve State Houses of Assembly to avoid conflicts between federal and state laws. He called for a comprehensive public hearing to accommodate relevant stakeholders.
Following deliberations, the Senate referred the bill to its Committees on Judiciary and Health for further legislative work. The committees are expected to conduct a public hearing and examine the legal, medical and social implications before reporting back to the Senate.
In a statement, EmemMaria Ntedodom, Head of Information, Press and Public Relations in the Office of the President of the Senate, said the bill forms part of ongoing legislative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s mental health framework and establish a coordinated national response to suicide prevention and rehabilitation.
