The Enugu State High Court has ordered the British government to pay a total of £420 million in compensation to the families of 21 coal miners killed during a strike at the Iva Valley coal mine in Enugu in 1949.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Anthony Onovo ruled that the killing of the miners was unlawful and amounted to an extrajudicial violation of the right to life.
The court ordered that each victim’s family be paid £20 million, bringing the total compensation to £420 million. The judge also directed the British government to issue a formal public apology to the families and publish it in both Nigerian and United Kingdom newspapers.
The suit was instituted by human rights activist Greg Onoh, who sought a declaration of liability, an official apology, and reparations for the families of the victims.
Named as respondents in the case were the Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the British government, the United Kingdom government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Head of the Commonwealth. None of the British respondents or the Head of the Commonwealth was represented by counsel during the proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Onovo held that the British government bears responsibility for the deaths of the miners and must be held accountable. He ordered that the £420 million compensation attract post-judgment interest at 10 per cent per annum until fully paid, but declined the claims for pre-judgment interest and exemplary damages.
“These defenceless coal miners were merely demanding improved working conditions. They posed no violent threat to the authorities, yet they were shot and killed,” the judge said.
Justice Onovo further directed the Nigerian government to engage the British government diplomatically within 60 days to pursue justice, reparations, and effective remedies for the families.
The incident, known as the Iva Valley massacre, occurred on November 18, 1949, when coal miners went on strike to protest unpaid wages and harsh working conditions under British colonial rule. Coal was a major source of energy and revenue for the colonial administration at the time.
Following the strike, colonial authorities ordered the closure of the Iva Valley mine, a move that heightened tensions. During the confrontation, police chief F. S. Philip allegedly ordered security operatives to open fire on the miners, killing 21 and injuring several others.
Those killed were identified as 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 judgment has reignited demands for accountability and reparations for colonial-era atrocities, underscoring the enduring legacy of British colonial rule in Nigeria.
