Akpabio Insists On Jail Term For Suicide Attempt As Decriminalisation Bill Scales Second Reading
The bill would replace jail with treatment and support, while creating crisis helplines, training and a national suicide-prevention framework.
- On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate passed for second reading a bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong to decriminalize attempted suicide, replacing punitive imprisonment with mandatory medical assessment and rehabilitation for survivors.
- Ekpenyong argued that current legislation creates a contradiction, as the National Mental Health Act recognizes suicide attempts as psychiatric emergencies while the Criminal Code and Penal Code still mandate imprisonment.
- Senator Dayo Faduyile, a medical doctor, supported the bill, arguing that criminalization discourages families from seeking help and undermines national suicide prevention data collection efforts.
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio opposed the measure, insisting attempted suicide should remain punishable by imprisonment while urging input from State Houses of Assembly to avoid legal conflicts.
- Following Tuesday's plenary, the Senate referred the legislation to the Senate Committee on Health and the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further review.
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Nigeria: Akpabio Insists On Jail Term As Senate Considers Suicide Bill
A bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria has passed second reading in the Senate, despite Senate President Godswill Akpabio insisting that survivors should remain liable to imprisonment.
If you attempt suicide, make sure you die
The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a national framework for suicide prevention, decriminalise attempted suicide and provide rehabilitation for survivors, despite opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who insisted that attempted suicide should still attract a jail term. The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), seeks […] If you attempt suicide, make sure you die – Akpabio
Akpabio insists on jail term for suicide attempt; bill scales second reading
Moves by the Senate to establish a framework for suicide prevention, decriminalise attempted suicide and provide for the establishment of persons who attempt suicide got a boost as the bill to this effect scaled second reading in the Senate.
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