Akpabio Rejects Push to Remove Jail Terms for Suicide Attempts

By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has insisted that attempted suicide should remain punishable by imprisonment in Nigeria, making the declaration during a Senate debate on a bill seeking to decriminalise the act and establish a national framework for suicide prevention.

Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as lawmakers considered a proposal sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South. The bill passed its second reading despite the Senate President’s opposition and was referred to the relevant Senate committees for further legislative consideration.

“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail,” Akpabio said during the debate, according to reports by Channels Television and Premium Times.

His position contrasts with the proposal’s central objective: to shift Nigeria’s response to suicide attempts away from criminal prosecution towards medical intervention, treatment and sustained support for survivors.

Presenting the bill, Ekpenyong argued that Nigeria’s existing legal framework contains a contradiction. He noted that the National Mental Health Act, 2021, recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring appropriate intervention, while provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code continue to prescribe penalties for the offence.

The senator said the threat of prosecution could discourage people experiencing severe emotional distress from seeking medical assistance. He also warned that criminalisation could lead families to conceal suicide attempts and make it more difficult for authorities to collect reliable information needed to develop effective prevention programmes.

Under the proposed legislation, people who survive suicide attempts would receive medical assessment, referrals, treatment and follow-up support rather than face imprisonment. The bill also seeks to establish a broader prevention framework involving public education, crisis-response arrangements, training for relevant professionals and improved data collection.

Supporters of the proposal argued during the debate that suicide attempts should be treated primarily as public health emergencies. Senator Dayo Faduyile, representing Ondo South and a medical doctor, supported a health-centred approach, saying survivors needed professional care rather than criminal punishment.

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, also backed further consideration of the proposal, highlighting the need to understand the circumstances that can lead people to attempt suicide.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, however, raised questions about how amendments would apply across the country, noting that the Criminal Code and Penal Code operate within different legal frameworks. He called for the relevant state Houses of Assembly to contribute to the legislative process to help address possible jurisdictional complications.

Akpabio maintained that removing criminal penalties could encourage suicide attempts. His comments therefore placed him at odds with lawmakers advocating a change in the legal response, although the bill was allowed to advance to the next stage of consideration.

Under the existing provisions cited during the debate, Section 327 of the Criminal Code provides for imprisonment of up to one year for attempted suicide. Section 231 of the Penal Code also provides for punishment, although the applicable legal provisions and their operation vary by jurisdiction.

The National Mental Health Act, enacted in 2021, established a framework for mental healthcare and the protection of the rights of people receiving such services. Advocates of decriminalisation argue that the law should be applied consistently with the need to ensure that people experiencing mental health emergencies can access timely treatment without fear of prosecution.

The bill’s passage at second reading does not mean that attempted suicide has been decriminalised. It must undergo further scrutiny, including committee consideration and other required legislative stages, before any proposed amendment can become law.

The debate has renewed attention to the balance between criminal law and public health in Nigeria’s approach to suicide prevention. The outcome of the legislative process will determine whether the country retains its existing penalties or adopts a framework that prioritises assessment, treatment and continuing support for people who survive suicide attempts.