Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his counterpart in Nigeria on the continuing intimidation of (a) the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Matthew Kukah who is falsely accused of insulting Islam, (b) former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore who was assaulted, detained and faces excessive charges and (c) other civil society actors expressing legitimate dissent.

We are concerned by reports of continuing intimidation of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, and the detention of journalist and opposition leader Omoyele Sowore. The Government makes clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of recognising and respecting citizens' rights to peaceful protest. We continue to push the Nigerian police to uphold human rights and Nigeria's rule of law in all operations, investigate any incidents of brutality, and hold those responsible to account. The British High Commissioner raises our concerns about intimidation of civil society groups and peaceful activists when she meets with the Government of Nigeria.