§ 73. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what information he has in respect of Osu bondage in Eastern Nigeria; to what extent Osu men and women suffer discrimination and are compelled to practise certain rites; if he is aware that they number approximately 90,000; and what steps are being taken to release them from Osu bondage.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe status of Osu survives only as a social disability which will, I hope, disappear completely with the spread of education. In many areas it now mainly amounts to a reluctance to intermarry with Osus. Attempts to enforce rights against Osus in the native courts are disallowed on the ground that any action founded on a servile status does not lie. There may be isolated attempts to compel Osus to perform religious rites but in such cases the Osus can claim the protection of the law. The figure of 90.000 is probably an overestimate.