Abayomi Susan
A Nigerian court has ordered the British government to pay £420 million in compensation to the families of 21 coal miners killed by colonial forces in 1949. The Enugu State High Court ruled that the British colonial administration unlawfully violated the miners’ right to life during a protest over poor working conditions and unpaid wages .
The incident occurred on November 18, 1949, at the Iva Valley coal mine in Enugu, when miners went on strike to demand better working conditions and wages. The British colonial authorities ordered the mine closed, but the miners resisted, leading to the police chief, FS Philip, ordering soldiers to open fire, killing 21 miners and injuring 51 others .
Justice Anthony Onovo, who presided over the case, described the killings as “unlawful and extrajudicial violation of the right to life” and held the British government responsible for reparations. Each family is to receive £20 million, with post-judgment interest at 10% per annum until fully paid.
The court also ordered the British government to issue a formal apology to the victims’ families, to be published in Nigerian and UK newspapers. The Nigerian government has been directed to initiate diplomatic engagement with the British government within 60 days to ensure enforcement of the judgment.
The suit was filed by human rights activist Greg Onoh, who sought acknowledgment of liability, a formal apology, and comprehensive compensation for the families of the slain miners. The respondents included the British government, the UK government, and the Nigerian government, among others.
The ruling is seen as a significant milestone in the pursuit of historical accountability and justice for colonial-era violations, affirming that the right to life transcends time, borders, and changes in sovereignty. The judgment draws parallels with international precedents, including the UK’s Mau Mau settlement.
The court dismissed objections based on sovereign immunity, holding that grave historical injustices remain justiciable under Nigeria’s Constitution. The judge also faulted the Nigerian government for failing to pursue redress over the years, describing their inaction as a dereliction of constitutional duty.
The victims 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 ruling is a significant step towards historical accountability for colonial-era injustices in Nigeria and underscores the justiciability of grave human rights violations regardless of the passage of time or changes in sovereignty.
