HC Deb 15 May 1958 vol 588 cc579-80
6. Mrs. White

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the arrest of a number of members of the Northern Elements Progressive Union in Northern Nigeria and to the letter addressed by Mallam Aminu Kano to the Sardauna of Sokoto; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Member is probably referring to disturbances at Zaria on 29th March, when a large crowd tried to break into a Native Court. One hundred and fifty-three people were brought before a magistrate. Eleven of these were imprisoned, 18 fined, 104 bound over and the rest acquitted. The Premier of the Northern Region has agreed to a proposal made by Mallam Aminu Kano that all parties in the Region should confer on ways and means of maintaining peace in the Region. A meeting is being arranged for 29th May.

Mrs. White

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that helpful reply, may I ask whether he will bear in mind the other point made by Mallam Aminu Kano, that possibly political cases would be better tried in courts other than the Alkali courts?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No doubt that will be argued at the meeting.

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