The Enugu State High Court judgment awarding £420 million to the families of 21 coal miners killed by colonial police in 1949 has been formally transmitted to the United Kingdom for execution.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Anthony Onovo on February 5, 2026, orders the UK government to pay £20 million to each of the 21 families, totaling £420 million, within 60 days. The court also requires the British authorities to report compliance within 90 days.
Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, who led the legal effort representing the victims’ families, confirmed on Friday in Abuja that the judgment has been served on the UK through the British High Commissioner. He expressed optimism that the order will be respected and hailed the verdict as a long-awaited act of justice.
The massacre occurred on November 18, 1949, when Enugu coal miners protested against poor working conditions and discriminatory labor practices. Rather than addressing their grievances, colonial police opened fire on unarmed miners, killing 21 instantly.
Professor Akinseye-George credited human rights activist Greg Nwanchukwu Onoh for initiating the legal action against the British government, noting that the verdict affirms the dignity of life and brings closure to the families after 75 years.
The court also ordered the UK to issue a formal apology to the families and publish it in four Nigerian newspapers and three UK newspapers. Should the UK fail to pay, a 10 percent annual post-judgment interest will accrue until full settlement.
The slain miners 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, and Ani Nwaekwo.
