Justice A.O. Onovo of the Enugu High Court has ordered the British Government to pay £20 million each to the families of 21 coal miners killed in the 1949 Iva Valley massacre in Enugu State, totaling £420 million.
The massacre occurred on November 18, 1949, at the Iva Valley coal mines, then part of the Eastern Region under British colonial rule.
The miners had been protesting harsh working conditions, racial wage disparities, and unpaid back wages.
When their demands were ignored, they staged a peaceful “go-slow” protest, occupying the mine to prevent management from locking them out.
The protest ended tragically when the British superintendent of police opened fire, killing 21 miners and injuring 51 others.
The victims included Sunday Anyasodo, Ani Oha, Andrew J. Obiekwe Okonkwo, Augustine Chiwefalu, Onoh Ugwu, Ngwu Offor, Ndunguba Eze, Okafor Agu, Livinus Ukachunwa, Jonathan Agu Ozani, 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 Nwaekwo.
The suit, filed as Case No: E/909/2024, was brought by human rights activist Mazi Greg N. Onoh, seeking acknowledgment of liability, a formal apology, and full compensation.
Respondents included the British Government, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Some respondents were unrepresented in court.
Justice Onovo ruled that the massacre constituted an unlawful, extrajudicial violation of the miners’ right to life.
He ordered the British Government to pay the total compensation of £420 million, plus post-judgment interest of 10% per annum until fully paid.
Pre-judgment interest and exemplary damages were denied.
The court also mandated that the British Government issue unreserved written apologies to the victims’ families, to be published in Nigeria’s Daily Sun, Daily Independent, The Punch, and three major UK national newspapers, with proof of publication filed in court within 60 days.
The monetary award must be settled within 90 days of the judgment.
Justice Onovo held that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney-General had a constitutional duty to pursue redress, and their previous inaction amounted to dereliction of duty.
He also dismissed objections based on sovereign immunity, affirming that historical injustices remain justiciable under Nigerian law.
The applicant’s counsel, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, and P.N. Agazie, described the ruling as historic, emphasizing that it sends a strong signal that governments worldwide cannot ignore human rights abuses, torture, or the unlawful taking of lives.
They also noted that the judgment aligns with international precedents, such as the UK’s Mau Mau settlement, reinforcing the obligation to provide redress for serious historical violations.
“This landmark ruling marks a significant step in achieving accountability for colonial-era atrocities and affirms that the right to life transcends time, borders, and changes in sovereignty,” they said.
