On Tuesday, a bill to create a nationwide framework for prevention and rehabilitation and to decriminalise attempted suicide was sent to second reading by the Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), the bill aims to resolve contradictions in Nigerian legislation. Currently, Section 327 and 231 of the Criminal Code and Penal Code make it a crime to attempt suicide, while the National Mental Health Act classifies it as a mental emergency requiring treatment.
In the middle of the discussion, Ekpenyong made the case that criminalisation hinders individuals from getting treatment, compels families to hide suicide attempts, and skews statistics. He expressed concern that it could lead troubled individuals to take extreme measures to escape legal consequences.
“The central question of this bill is whether the state should prioritise prosecution or protection when a Nigerian survives a suicide attempt,” he stated.
In a violent confrontation with suspected bandits, the commander of the Taraba hunters was fatally wounded.
Assessment, referral, treatment, and follow-up would be substituted for jail terms under the proposed law.