Wayne Lumbasi
A Nigerian court has ordered the United Kingdom to pay £420 million in compensation to the families of coal miners killed during a colonial-era crackdown in 1949, in a ruling that marks a significant moment in the country’s long-running quest for justice over historical abuses under British rule.
The judgment, delivered by the Enugu State High Court, relates to the Iva Valley massacre, in which British colonial police opened fire on Nigerian coal miners who were protesting against poor working conditions, discriminatory wages and delayed payments. Twenty-one miners were killed, while dozens of others sustained serious injuries.
In its ruling, the court held the British government responsible for the actions of its colonial authorities, describing the killings as unlawful, excessive and a grave violation of the victims’ right to life. The court ordered that £20 million be paid to each of the 21 families, bringing the total compensation to £420 million. The judgment also attracts post-judgment interest, which will apply until the full amount is settled.
The court rejected arguments that the case could not be heard because it occurred during the colonial period or because too much time had passed. It ruled that serious human rights violations are not extinguished by the passage of time, particularly where victims and their families were denied justice for decades.
Beyond financial compensation, the court directed the British government to issue formal, unreserved apologies to the families of the victims. These apologies are to be published in widely circulated newspapers in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, acknowledging responsibility for the massacre and the suffering caused.
The case was brought by descendants of the slain miners, who argued that successive governments failed to address the killings or offer meaningful redress after Nigeria gained independence. The court agreed, criticising the prolonged silence surrounding the incident and noting that the lack of accountability compounded the harm suffered by the victims’ families.
In a further directive, the court instructed the Nigerian government to engage diplomatically with the United Kingdom to ensure compliance with the ruling, underscoring the importance of pursuing enforcement through international channels.
The Iva Valley massacre has long been regarded as a defining moment in Nigeria’s anti-colonial struggle, galvanising labour movements and nationalist sentiments in the years leading to independence. Despite its historical significance, the killings remained largely unresolved in legal terms for more than seven decades.
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