An Enugu State High Court has granted a motion to amend the claims in a case seeking accountability for the deaths of 21 coal miners allegedly killed by British colonial police during the infamous Iva Valley massacre of November 18, 1949.
The suit, No. E/909/2024, was filed by Mazi Greg Nwachukwu Onoh on behalf of the victims’ families. The plaintiffs are demanding a formal acknowledgment of liability, an apology from the British Government, and full compensation for the loss of their loved ones. The suit lists the British Government, the Commonwealth, and the Federal Government of Nigeria as defendants.
During the court session on Thursday, the applicants, through their legal team comprising P.N. Agazie, Ozioma Eguzuruibe, Chidinma Eze, and Florence Iloanya—representing lead counsel Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN—argued their motion for amendment, which was originally filed on June 3, 2025. It was supported by an 11-paragraph affidavit and one exhibit.
Counsel for the third and fourth respondents, N.R. Chude, did not oppose the motion but requested time to file a consequential amendment. The first, second, and fifth respondents were unrepresented in court.
In his ruling, Justice A.O. Onovo granted the motion and gave 21 days for the respondents to file their consequential amendments. He adjourned the matter to September 18, 2025, for definite hearing.
