The United Kingdom has stated that it has not received official notification of a Nigerian court ruling ordering it to pay £420 million in compensation to the families of coal miners killed in Enugu in 1949.
A UK government spokesperson told the BBC that, without formal notification, they could not comment on the judgment.
On Thursday, an Enugu State High Court directed the British government to pay £20 million each to the families of the 21 miners who lost their lives at the Iva Valley coal mine on November 18, 1949. Presiding Judge Anthony Onovo described the killings as unlawful and a violation of the miners’ right to life.
The lawsuit was brought by human rights activist Greg Onoh, who sought acknowledgment of liability, a formal apology, and full compensation for the victims’ families.
The case listed the UK government, the secretary of state for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the head of the Commonwealth as respondents. Some of the respondents did not have legal representation in court.
The incident occurred during a miners’ strike over poor working conditions and unpaid wages. The colonial authorities attempted to shut down the Iva Valley mine, but the miners resisted. Tensions escalated when police chief FS Philip reportedly ordered gunfire on the striking workers, killing at least 21 and injuring many others.
The victims included Sunday Anyasodo, Ani Oha, Andrew J. Obiekwe Okonkwo, Augustine Chiwetalu, Onoh Ugwu, Ngwu Offor, Ndunguba Eze, Okafor Agu, Livinus Ukachunwa, Jonathan Agu Ozoani, Moses Ikegbu Okoloha, Chukwu Ugwu, Thomas Chukwu, Simon Nwachukwu, Agu Alo, Ogbonnia Ani Chima, Nnaji Nwachukwu, William Nwaku, James Onoh Ekeowa, Felix Nnaji, and Ani Nwaekwe.
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