The Enugu state high court has ordered the British government to pay £20 million to each of the families of the 21 coal miners killed on November 18, 1949.
According to NAN, Anthony Onovo, who presided over the case
on Thursday, ruled that the killings were unlawful and constituted an
extrajudicial violation of the right to life.
The suit was filed by Greg Onoh, a human rights activist,
who sought an acknowledgment of liability, a formal apology from the British
government, and comprehensive compensation for the families of the victims.
Respondents in the suit are the Secretary of State for the
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (first); the British government
(second); the Federal Government of Nigeria (third); the Attorney-General of
the Federation (fourth); the head of the Commonwealth (fifth); and the
Government of the United Kingdom (sixth).
No counsel represented the first, second, fifth, and sixth
respondents.
In his ruling, the judge held that the British government
must be held accountable for the killings of the coal miners and must make
reparations to the families of the 21 coal miners.
The judge ordered that the British government must tender an
apology to the families through their lawyers and publish the same in Nigerian
and UK newspapers.
“These defenceless coal miners were asking for improved work
conditions; they were not embarking on any violent action against the
authorities, yet were shot and killed,” the judge ruled.
“The 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th respondents should pay £20
million per victim, totalling £420 million, payable by the British Government
as an effective remedy and compensation for the violations of the right to
life.
“They will also pay post-judgment interest at 10 per cent
annum until fully paid, while claims for pre-judgment interest and exemplary
damages is thereby refused.”
Onovo asked the Nigerian Government to initiate and pursue
diplomatic engagement with the British government within 60 days to seek
justice, effective remedies, and reparations.
BACKGROUND
Coal was a major source of energy and revenue during the
British colonial government.
Displeased by the strike action, the colonial authorities
ordered the closing down of the coal mining operations at the Iva valley — a
move that was rejected by the miners.
Amid the tension, FS Philip, the police chief, was said to
have ordered the shooting of the striking coal miners, killing at least 21 of
them and injuring several others.
The victims were 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 and Chukwu Ugwu.
Others were 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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