By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Nigeria’s Senate has taken a step towards ending the criminal punishment of suicide attempts, passing a bill for second reading that seeks to replace prosecution with medical care, psychological support and a coordinated suicide-prevention system.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South, was passed during Tuesday’s plenary following a debate on the country’s existing laws and how they treat people who survive suicide attempts.
Leading the debate, Ekpenyong questioned whether criminal prosecution should be the government’s first response when someone survives a suicide attempt, arguing that such individuals need protection and professional assistance rather than punishment.
“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?” the senator asked.
He explained that Nigeria’s legal framework currently presents conflicting approaches to attempted suicide. While the National Mental Health Act recognises it as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention, Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code provide for criminal punishment.
According to the lawmaker, the proposed legislation seeks to resolve this contradiction by placing greater emphasis on saving lives, preventing suicide and ensuring that survivors receive appropriate treatment.
Ekpenyong warned that criminalising suicide attempts could discourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking help. He said fear of arrest, prosecution and social stigma could also push families to conceal such incidents, potentially delaying medical intervention and making it difficult to obtain reliable data for suicide-prevention programmes.
He stressed that decriminalisation should not be interpreted as encouraging or legalising suicide, but rather as a move to ensure that people in severe psychological distress receive timely assistance instead of facing additional legal consequences.
Beyond removing criminal penalties, the bill proposes a broader support system for people at risk of suicide and those who survive attempts. Its provisions include crisis helplines, referral systems, follow-up care and coordinated prevention services.
The proposed law also seeks to strengthen public awareness and equip healthcare workers, police officers, teachers and emergency responders with the knowledge to recognise warning signs and direct vulnerable individuals to appropriate services.
Ekpenyong said families affected by suicide or attempted suicide should also have access to psychosocial support, while improved research and data collection would help authorities understand the problem and develop more effective interventions.
He emphasised that removing criminal penalties alone would not be enough without accessible treatment, trained professionals and sustainable funding for prevention programmes.
The senator added that the bill’s committee stage would provide an opportunity to align the proposed provisions with the Criminal Code, Penal Code, National Mental Health Act and relevant state laws.
Several lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the proposal, arguing that attempted suicide should primarily be treated as a mental health concern rather than a criminal offence.
They maintained that people experiencing overwhelming emotional distress need professional care and support, noting that detention or imprisonment does not address the underlying circumstances that may lead someone to attempt suicide.
The lawmakers also called for a coordinated approach involving hospitals, schools, families, law enforcement agencies and government institutions, while highlighting the importance of public consultation and contributions from mental health professionals as the bill progresses.
Following the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the proposal to a voice vote, and lawmakers approved it for second reading.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate committees on Health and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration.
The passage marks an initial stage in the legislative process. The proposal must undergo further scrutiny before the Senate can take additional action on it.
If enacted, the legislation would establish a framework intended to shift Nigeria’s response to attempted suicide towards prevention, treatment and support, while addressing the existing conflict between mental health policy and criminal law.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!