By: Odeh Favour
Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has faulted Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his insistence on jail terms for survivors of suicide attempts.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Olajengbesi maintained that punishing survivors of suicide attempts is counterproductive and may prevent such persons from receiving the help they need for their mental health.
Criticising the comments credited to the Senate President, the legal practitioner urged political leaders to exhibit greater empathy toward citizens undergoing mental health crises.
“Our leaders need to show more empathy. Suggesting that anyone attempting suicide should ensure they die is deeply disturbing,” Olajengbesi said.
Drawing comparison with global legal frameworks, the human rights lawyer pointed out that other jurisdictions have since moved away from penalising psychological distress.
“The Suicide Act 1961 decriminalised suicide in England and Wales, ending the prosecution of people who survived suicide attempts.
Nigeria should likewise prioritise care and recovery over punishment,” he stated.
He further stressed that subjecting vulnerable individuals to incarceration only aggravates their mental health conditions.
“A person who survives a suicide attempt needs urgent help.
Sending that person to prison risks compounding the distress that brought them to that point,” Olajengbesi added.
Expressing concern over the public stance taken by the country’s top lawmaker, the lawyer argued that such remarks fail to reflect the severity of psychological trauma faced by many Nigerians.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s reported remarks on the floor of the Senate are insensitive to the suffering of Nigerians in psychological crisis.
Whatever the intention, such language is unacceptable from someone occupying that office,” he remarked.
Highlighting the duty of government officials in mitigating societal stress, Olajengbesi called for systemic solutions rather than punitive measures.
“Leaders must be compassionate and address the underlying causes of distress, including economic hardship, trauma, isolation and mental health challenges,” the statement read.
Aligning himself with progressive legislative proposals in the National Assembly, the lawyer commended efforts aimed at reforming existing laws.
“I agree with Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong that Nigerians in psychological crisis deserve care, protection and a credible path to recovery. Replacing criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and accessible support is a step in the right direction. Leadership should give people a reason to live and the support to recover,” he noted.
The lawyer’s reaction followed developments on Tuesday on the floor of the upper legislative chamber, where Akpabio opposed moves to decriminalise attempted suicide, insisting that survivors should be jailed.
His opposition came as the Senate passed for second reading a bill seeking to replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Presenting the bill earlier, Senator Ekpenyong argued that Nigeria’s existing legal framework was inconsistent because the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring intervention, while provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code continue to criminalise the act.
Under the proposed legislative framework, survivors would be subjected to appropriate medical assessment, referral, treatment, and follow-up support rather than imprisonment, while strengthening early intervention through public education, crisis response services, and improved coordination among relevant institutions.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further legislative action, including a public hearing.
