ENUGU — In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Enugu State has ordered the British Government to pay a total of £420 million in compensation to the families of 21 Nigerian coal miners who were killed by colonial police during a protest in 1949.
The Judgment
Presiding Judge Justice Anthony Onovo delivered the verdict on Thursday, declaring that the killing of the miners at the Iva Valley Coal Mine was “unlawful, extrajudicial, and a gross violation of the right to life.”
The court held that the British colonial administration was liable for the massacre and ordered the following:
- Compensation: Each of the 21 families of the slain miners is to be paid £20 million, totaling £420 million.
- Formal Apologies: The UK government must issue an unreserved written apology to the victims’ families, to be published in three national newspapers in Nigeria and three in the United Kingdom.
- Interest: The court applied a 10% post-judgment interest per annum until the full amount is paid.
- Diplomatic Action: The Nigerian Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation were directed to initiate diplomatic engagements with the British Government within 60 days to ensure the judgment is enforced.
Historical Background
The tragedy, known as the Iva Valley Massacre, occurred on November 18, 1949. The miners were protesting poor working conditions, racial wage disparities, and unpaid arrears. When they adopted a “go-slow” strike and occupied the mine, a British superintendent reportedly ordered colonial police to open fire on the unarmed workers.
The incident claimed 21 lives and left 51 others injured. The names of the 21 victims identified in the suit include:
Sunday Anyasodo, Ani Oha, Andrew J. Obiekwe Okonkwo, Augustine Chiwetalu, Onoh Ugwu, Ngwu Offor, Ndunguba Eze, Okafor Agu, Livinus Ukachunwa, Jonathan Agu Ozoani, Moses Ikegbu Okoloha, Chukwu Ugwu, Thomas Chukwu, Simon Nwachukwu, Agu Alo, Ogbonnia Ani Chima, Nnaji Nwachukwu, William Nwaku, James Onoh Ekeowa, Felix Nnaji, and Ani Nwaekwe.
The Legal Battle
The suit (No: E/909/2024) was filed by human rights activist Mazi Greg Onoh. The respondents included the British Government, the UK Foreign Office, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Head of the Commonwealth.
Justice Onovo dismissed arguments regarding “sovereign immunity” or the expiration of time, ruling that grave human rights violations and the right to life transcend changes in sovereignty and the passage of decades. Notably, no legal representation appeared for the British Government during the hearing.