§ 83. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which a British official in Nigeria has been ordered corporal punishment; and in what cases corporal punishment is now permitted in Nigeria.
§ Mr. HopkinsonMy right hon. Friend has seen the report referred to, but as the accused has appealed against his conviction and sentence I can make no statement at the moment. Magistrates' courts may sentence to whipping any person convicted of any offence for which he is liable to imprisonment for a period of six months or more having regard to the local prevalence of crime or to the antecedents of the offender.
Native Authority courts may inflict corporal punishment for offences against native law and custom but such sentences are subject to connrmation by the Emir or by the district officer according to the grade of the court.