Court orders British government to pay £420m to families of 21 Nigerian coal miners killed in 1949

The Enugu state high court has ordered the British government to pay £20 million to each of the families of the 21 coal miners killed on November 18, 1949.

According to NAN, Anthony Onovo, who presided over the case on Thursday, ruled that the killings were unlawful and constituted an extrajudicial violation of the right to life.

The suit was filed by Greg Onoh, a human rights activist, who sought an acknowledgment of liability, a formal apology from the British government, and comprehensive compensation for the families of the victims.

Respondents in the suit are the secretary of state for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (first); the British government (second); the federal government of Nigeria (third); the attorney-general of the federation (fourth); the head of the Commonwealth (fifth); and the government of the United Kingdom (sixth).

No counsel represented the first, second, fifth, and sixth respondents.

In his ruling, the judge held that the British government must be held accountable for the killings of the coal miners and must make reparations to the families of the 21 coal miners.

The judge ordered that the British government must tender an apology to the families through their lawyers and publish the same in Nigerian and UK newspapers.

“These defenceless coal miners were asking for improved work conditions; they were not embarking on any violent action against the authorities but yet were shot and killed,” the judge ruled.

“The 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th respondents should pay £20 million per victim, totalling £420 million, payable by the British Government as an effective remedy and compensation for the violations of the right to life.

“They will also pay post-judgment interest at 10 per cent annum until fully paid while claims for pre-judgment interest and exemplary damages is thereby refused.”

Onovo asked the Nigerian Government to initiate and pursue diplomatic engagement with the British government within 60 days to seek justice, effective remedies, and reparations.

On November 1, 1949, workers in the coal mine located at Iva Valley in Enugu, the administrative capital of Eastern region at the time, commenced strike over debts owed by the colonial masters and harsh working conditions.

Coal was a major source of energy and revenue during the British colonial government.

Displeased by the strike action, the colonial authorities ordered the closing down of the coal mining operations at the Iva valley — a move that was rejected by the miners.

Amid the tension, FS Philip, the police chief, was said to have ordered the shooting of the striking coal miners, killing at least 21 of them and injuring several others.

The victims were 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 and Chukwu Ugwu.

Others were Thomas Chukwu, Simon Nwachukwu, Agu Alo, Ogbonnia Ani Chima, Nnaji Nwachukwu, William Nwaku, James Onoh Ekeowa, Felix Nnaji, and Ani Nwaekwe.