Senior lawyer Jibrin Okutepa has called for the rehabilitation of people who survive suicide attempts, arguing that imprisonment fails to address the circumstances that drive them to the point of despair.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Okutepa disagreed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s position that people who attempt suicide and survive should face imprisonment, urging the National Assembly to adopt a more humane approach.
His reaction comes amid a Senate debate on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a national framework for suicide prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, passed its second reading on Tuesday despite Akpabio’s opposition. It has been referred to the relevant Senate committees for further consideration.
Okutepa argued that people who attempt suicide may be experiencing depression, economic hardship, emotional trauma, family problems or other circumstances that leave them feeling hopeless.
He said such individuals needed professional counselling, medical care and rehabilitation rather than automatic prosecution and imprisonment.
According to the lawyer, criminal punishment could deepen the suffering of people who are already in distress without addressing the underlying causes of their actions.
He maintained that protecting human life required more than criminal legislation, urging the government to improve access to mental healthcare, counselling services and crisis intervention.
Okutepa also called on the National Assembly to adopt an evidence-based approach to suicide prevention and remove the stigma that discourages vulnerable people from seeking help.
He argued that the government should prioritise saving lives, assessing the circumstances of survivors and providing appropriate treatment to prevent further attempts.
The lawyer’s position contrasts with Akpabio’s argument that removing criminal penalties could encourage suicide attempts. The Senate President has maintained that attempted suicide should remain a criminal offence under existing laws.
The proposed bill seeks to change the current legal approach, under which attempted suicide remains punishable under provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code, despite the National Mental Health Act recognising attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring medical intervention.
Okutepa urged lawmakers to consider rehabilitation and support as central parts of suicide prevention, arguing that the justice system should seek to restore human dignity rather than impose additional suffering on people in crisis.
