Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the arrest and ongoing detention without trial of Mubarak Bala.

The UK Government remains concerned by the continued detention of Mubarak Bala and we are monitoring his case closely. Our High Commissioner raised the case earlier this year with the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force and has recently raised it with the Kano State Governor and Attorney General. The Minister for Africa also discussed the case with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs in May. We continue to stress to the Nigerian Government the importance of a transparent investigation that respects Mr Bala's human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief.

Defending freedom of religion or belief for all remains a UK Government priority and we will continue to use our voice internationally to protect this human right.