Akpabio: Rejects Decriminalising Attempted Suicide in Nigeria

• Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected efforts to decriminalize attempted suicide in Nigeria, advocating for imprisonment of survivors.
• A bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, seeking to replace criminal punishment with medical treatment and rehabilitation, passed its second reading.
• The proposed legislation aims to establish crisis helplines, train professionals, and promote public awareness for suicide prevention.
• Current Nigerian law is inconsistent, with the National Mental Health Act recognizing attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency, while the Criminal Code and Penal Code criminalize it.
• Criminalization discourages individuals from seeking help and contributes to stigma, according to Senator Ekpenyong.

Despite ongoing legislative efforts to decriminalize attempted suicide, the Senate President's strong opposition means it remains a criminal offense under current Nigerian law.

The Nigerian Senate recently advanced a significant piece of legislation, passing for a second reading a bill aimed at reforming the country's approach to attempted suicide. This proposed law, championed by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South, seeks to replace the existing criminal penalties for attempted suicide with a framework focused on medical assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for survivors. Beyond direct care, the bill also proposes establishing crisis helplines, providing specialized training for police officers, teachers, and health workers, promoting public awareness campaigns, and creating a national data system to bolster suicide prevention efforts.

Despite the bill's progress, Senate President Godswill Akpabio voiced strong opposition to the move to decriminalise attempted suicide Nigeria. He firmly asserted that individuals who survive suicide attempts should face imprisonment. During the debate, Akpabio stated, "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 later reiterated this position, declaring, "If you attempt it and don't succeed, we will jail you." Akpabio also noted, in a remark directed at Senator Abdul Ningi, that the Nigerian Senate attempted suicide bill had not yet reached the public hearing stage, acknowledging the differing perspectives on whether survivors should be rehabilitated or punished.

Senator Ekpenyong highlighted a critical inconsistency within Nigeria's current legal landscape regarding attempted suicide. He argued that the nation's laws currently "speak with two voices." On one hand, the National Mental Health Act Nigeria suicide recognizes attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency, necessitating immediate intervention and care. Conversely, section 327 of the Criminal Code Nigeria and section 231 of the Penal Code Nigeria continue to classify the act as a criminal offense, thereby exposing individuals to punitive measures rather than support.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the complexity of the proposed reform, noting that attempted suicide is covered by both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code. He emphasized that careful consideration would be required during the public hearing phase of the Godswill Akpabio suicide decriminalization debate. Akpabio specifically pointed out the necessity of involving state legislatures in these discussions to prevent potential conflicts in the application of the law across different jurisdictions.

The criminalization of attempted suicide carries profound negative implications for public health and the justice system, as articulated by Senator Ekpenyong. He argued that such laws actively discourage individuals from disclosing suicidal thoughts or seeking crucial help. This legal stance can lead families to conceal suicide attempts, deter health workers from providing complete reports, and cause communities to perceive a medical emergency as a source of shame, rather than a call for compassion and intervention. Ekpenyong urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing the need to address the stigma associated with suicide attempts and to provide medical and psychological support to survivors, framing it primarily as a mental health issue.

Despite ongoing legislative efforts to decriminalize attempted suicide, the Senate President's strong opposition means it remains a criminal offense under current Nigerian law. This maintains a conflict with the National Mental Health Act and requires careful consideration when advising clients or handling cases involving attempted suicide, as criminal penalties are still applicable. Senator Ekpenyong further stressed that decriminalization alone would not be sufficient without the provision of accessible mental health services, recognizing that suicide often stems from complex underlying circumstances that require comprehensive support.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Nigeria must note that despite ongoing legislative efforts to decriminalize attempted suicide, the Senate President's strong opposition means it remains a criminal offense under current law. This maintains a conflict with the National Mental Health Act and requires careful consideration when advising clients or handling cases involving attempted suicide, as criminal penalties are still applicable.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH