Justice Anthony Onovo of the Enugu High Court on Thursday ordered the British Government to pay £20 million each to the families of the 21 coal miners killed during the Iva Valley Massacre in 1949.
The tragic incident occurred on November 18, 1949, at the Iva Valley Coal Mine in Enugu, then the administrative capital of the Eastern Region of British-administered Nigeria. The miners were protesting harsh working conditions, racial wage disparities, and unpaid back wages. When management failed to address their concerns, the workers staged a “go-slow” protest and occupied the mine to prevent a lockout.
According to historical accounts, the British superintendent opened fire on the protesting miners, killing 21 and injuring 51 others. The victims 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 lawsuit, NO: E/909/2024, was filed by human rights activist Mazi Greg Onoh, seeking acknowledgment of liability, a formal apology, and comprehensive compensation for the families. The respondents included the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the British Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Head of the Commonwealth Government of the United Kingdom.
In his ruling, Justice Onovo described the massacre as an unlawful and extrajudicial violation of the right to life, holding the British colonial administration accountable. He ordered substantial compensation, formal apologies, and diplomatic action to recognize the injustice done to the victims and their families.
No legal representatives appeared for the first, second, fifth, and sixth respondents during the proceedings.
