Enugu State High Court judgment awarding £420 million to 21 Nigerian coal miners killed by colonial police in 1949 has officially been transmitted to the United Kingdom for execution.
The ruling, delivered 75 years after the massacre, orders £20 million compensation to each family of the miners, who were shot dead while protesting poor working conditions and discriminatory labor practices.
Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, who led the legal battle, confirmed in Abuja that the judgment, delivered on February 5, 2026, by Justice Anthony Onovo, 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,” Akinseye-George said.
Under the court’s order, the UK is expected to pay the total £420 million within 60 days and report compliance within 90 days. Failure to comply will incur a 10% annual post-judgment interest until full payment is made.
The court also directed the UK authorities to issue a formal apology to the families and publish it in four Nigerian newspapers and three UK publications.
Recalling the events of November 18, 1949, Akinseye-George explained that the miners’ lawful protest over harsh working conditions was met with gunfire from colonial police, resulting in the deaths of 21 unarmed workers.
He praised human rights activist Mazi Greg Nwanchukwu Onoh for initiating the lawsuit and expressed hope that the ruling will finally bring justice and closure to the families after seven and a half decades.
The victims 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.
Professor Akinseye-George described the ruling as a historic affirmation of human dignity and a long-awaited measure of justice for the families of the Enugu coal miners.
