A landmark judgment of the Enugu State High Court
awarding £420 million in compensation to families of Nigerian coal miners
killed in 1949 has officially been transmitted to the United Kingdom for
enforcement.
The ruling, delivered on February 5, 2026, by Justice
Anthony Onovo, orders the payment of £20 million to each of the 21 families of
miners who were shot dead by colonial police during a protest over poor working
conditions and discriminatory labour practices.
Confirming the development in Abuja, Professor Yemi
Akinseye-George, who led the legal team, disclosed that the judgment 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,” he said.
Under the court’s directive, the UK is required to pay
the full £420 million within 60 days and file a compliance report within 90
days. Failure to meet the deadline will attract a 10 percent annual
post-judgment interest until the debt is fully settled.
In addition to the monetary compensation, the court
ordered the UK authorities to issue a formal apology to the families of the
victims and publish it in four Nigerian newspapers and three UK publications.
Recounting the events of November 18, 1949,
Akinseye-George explained that the unarmed miners were peacefully protesting
harsh working conditions when colonial police opened fire, killing 21 workers.
He commended human rights activist Greg Nwanchukwu
Onoh for initiating the lawsuit, expressing hope that the ruling would finally
bring long-overdue justice and closure to the affected families after 75 years.
Describing the judgment as historic, Akinseye-George
said it represents a powerful affirmation of human dignity and accountability
for colonial-era injustices.
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