A historic judgment by the Enugu State High Court, which awarded £420 million in compensation to the families of 21 Nigerian coal miners killed by colonial police in 1949, has now been formally transmitted to the United Kingdom for execution. This landmark ruling, delivered 75 years after the tragic Iva Valley massacre, mandates a compensation of £20 million to each family of the miners, who were fatally shot during a protest against deplorable working conditions and discriminatory labor practices.

Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, who spearheaded the legal team for the victims' families, confirmed in Abuja that certified true copies (CTC) of the judgment have been officially served on the British government through its High Commissioner in Nigeria, as well as the Secretary of State and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). He stated, "The judgment is now in the possession of the British government for compliance as ordered by the Nigerian court," adding that acknowledgments of service on their offices have been secured.

The judgment, delivered on February 5, 2026, by Justice Anthony Onovo of the Enugu State High Court, unequivocally ruled that the killings of the unarmed miners constituted an unlawful deprivation of life. Under the court's strict directives, the United Kingdom is required to remit the total sum of £420 million within 60 days of the judgment's service. Failure to comply within this period will result in a 10% annual post-judgment interest accruing until the full payment is made.

Beyond the monetary compensation, the court also ordered the UK authorities to issue a formal written apology to the victims' families. This apology must be published prominently in four Nigerian newspapers, specifically Daily Sun, Daily Independent, The Guardian, and The Punch, as well as in three national publications in the United Kingdom. The ruling further stipulated that the Attorney-General of the Federation and other relevant Nigerian authorities must initiate formal diplomatic engagement with the British government within 60 days to ensure compliance.

Recalling the harrowing events of November 18, 1949, Professor Akinseye-George explained that the miners' lawful protest at the Iva Valley coal mine over harsh and unfair conditions was met with gunfire from colonial police, resulting in the immediate deaths of 21 unarmed workers. He highlighted that human rights activist Mazi Greg Nwanchukwu Onoh was instrumental in initiating this lawsuit on behalf of the families and dependants of the victims. Akinseye-George expressed profound hope that this ruling would finally provide justice and closure to the families after seven and a half decades.

The list of victims for whom this judgment seeks justice includes 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, and Ani Nwaekwo. Professor Akinseye-George lauded the ruling as a monumental affirmation of human dignity and a long-overdue measure of justice for the Enugu coal miners' families.

While acknowledging the service of the judgment, a spokesperson for the UK government had previously informed the BBC that it could not comment on the matter due to the perceived absence of a formal notification. However, Professor Akinseye-George reiterated that the British government’s representatives in Nigeria have been formally served with all necessary court documents, and it is now the responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria to follow through with diplomatic mechanisms to ensure the judgment's full compliance.