UK Government Formally Served with Court Order for £420 Million Payment Over 1949 Enugu Coal Miners Massacre
The Enugu State High Court judgment that awarded a staggering £420 million in compensation to the families of 21 Nigerian coal miners who were brutally killed by colonial police in 1949 has now been officially transmitted to the United Kingdom government for execution. This landmark ruling, delivered a full 75 years after the tragic massacre, mandates that each family of the slain miners receive £20 million as compensation for their loss and suffering.
Legal Confirmation and Transmission Details
Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, the lead counsel in this historic legal battle, confirmed in Abuja that the judgment, which was delivered on February 5, 2026, by Justice Anthony Onovo, has been formally served on the UK government through the British High Commissioner in Nigeria. "The judgment is now in the possession of the British government for compliance as ordered by the Nigerian court," Akinseye-George stated emphatically.
Under the strict terms of the court's order, the United Kingdom is expected to pay the total sum of £420 million within a 60-day period and must report its compliance within 90 days. Failure to adhere to this timeline will result in a 10% annual post-judgment interest accruing until the full payment is made. Additionally, the court has directed the UK authorities to issue a formal, public apology to the families of the victims. This apology must be published in four prominent Nigerian newspapers and three major UK publications to ensure widespread acknowledgment and accountability.
Historical Context of the 1949 Massacre
Recalling the harrowing events of November 18, 1949, Professor Akinseye-George provided a detailed account of the miners' protest. The coal miners, who were employed under harsh and discriminatory labor practices, organized a lawful protest to demand better working conditions. Tragically, their peaceful demonstration was met with gunfire from colonial police forces, resulting in the deaths of 21 unarmed workers. This incident has long been a dark chapter in Nigeria's colonial history, symbolizing the brutal suppression of workers' rights and human dignity.
The victims of this massacre include:
- Sunday Anyasodo
- Ono Oha
- Andrew Obiekwe Okonkwo
- Augustine Chiwefalu
- Onoh Obiekwe
- Livinus Ugwu
- Ngwu Ofor
- Ndunguba Eze
- Okafor Agu
- Livinus Ofor
- Jonathan Ukachunwa
- Jonathan Agu Ozani
- Moses Ikebu
- Okoloha Chukwu Ugwu
- Thomas Chukwu
- Simon Nwanchukwu
- Agu Alo
- Ogbonnia Ani Chima
- Nnaji Nwanchukwu
- William Nwaku
- James Ono Ekeowa
- Felix Ekeowa
- Felix Nnaji
- Ani Nwaekwo
Acknowledgments and Broader Implications
Professor Akinseye-George praised human rights activist Mazi Greg Nwanchukwu Onoh for his pivotal role in initiating the lawsuit, which has brought this case to the forefront after decades of neglect. He expressed a profound hope that this ruling will finally deliver justice and a sense of closure to the families who have waited for over seven and a half decades for recognition and reparation.
Describing the ruling as a historic affirmation of human dignity, Akinseye-George emphasized that it represents a long-awaited measure of justice for the families of the Enugu coal miners. This case not only addresses a specific historical injustice but also sets a significant precedent for holding colonial powers accountable for past atrocities, potentially influencing future human rights litigation and international relations.
The transmission of this judgment marks a critical step in the legal process, as the UK government now faces a clear mandate to comply with the Nigerian court's orders. The global community will be watching closely to see how the UK responds, with implications for diplomatic relations, historical reconciliation, and the ongoing struggle for human rights worldwide.
