Akpabio To Suicide-Prone People: If You Attempt It, Better Succeed, Or Face Jail

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has opposed moves to decriminalise attempted suicide, insisting that people who survive suicide attempts should be sent to prison.

Akpabio made the position known on Tuesday as the Senate passed for second reading a bill seeking to replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical treatment, rehabilitation and support services.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, proposes measures to address attempted suicide as a mental health issue rather than a criminal offence.

During deliberations, Akpabio said, “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.”

He made the remarks while responding to Senator Abdul Ningi, noting that the bill had not yet reached the public hearing stage.

Akpabio acknowledged that Ekpenyong wanted survivors of suicide attempts to be rehabilitated but maintained that the proposed reform required careful consideration.

“If you attempt it and don’t succeed, we will jail you,” he said.

Ekpenyong, however, argued that the bill was intended to address the stigma associated with attempted suicide and recognise it as a mental health issue.

“Mr President, it is beyond that. I am only addressing the stigma associated with it. For now, we believe this 10th Senate can change and decriminalise it. It is a mental health issue,” the senator said.

Akpabio said the proposal required further examination because both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code criminalise attempted suicide. He also called for state legislatures to participate in the public hearing process.

Presenting the bill, Ekpenyong said existing laws were inconsistent with the National Mental Health Act, which treats attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency, while Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code prescribe punishment for the offence.

He argued that criminalising attempted suicide could discourage people experiencing mental health crises from seeking help. It could also lead families to conceal suicide attempts and health workers to underreport cases.

The proposed legislation provides for medical assessment, referrals, treatment, follow-up care and early intervention for people who attempt suicide.

It also proposes crisis helplines, training for police officers, teachers and healthcare workers, public awareness campaigns and a national data system to improve the response to suicide attempts.

The Senate’s passage of the bill for second reading does not amount to final approval or an immediate change in the law.