“UK Govt Not Formally Notified Of Judgment, Not Represented In Proceedings” — British High Commission On £220m Enugu Miners Compensation Order

The British High Commission said it has not been formally notified of the Enugu High Court judgment ordering the British Government to pay £220 million to the 21 coal miners killed in Enugu State in 1949 by the colonial masters.

Justice Anthony Onovo of the Enugu High Court gave the order on Thursday.

The British authorities in Abuja said they were not represented at the proceedings.

In response to The Nation’s enquiry, a British High Commission spokesperson said they had not been formally notified about the judgment.

The spokesperson added that since the High Commission was not represented during the court proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment on the judgment.

A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Nigeria said: “The UK Government has not been formally notified of this judgment, and was not represented in these proceedings. In light of the above, it would not be appropriate to comment.”

The deaths, it was learnt, took place at the Iva Valley Coal Mine in Enugu on November 18, 1949, which was the administrative capital of the Eastern Region of British-administered Nigeria at the time.

The miners were protesting harsh working conditions, racial disparities in wages, and unpaid back wages. When their demands were not met, they adopted a “go-slow” protest and occupied the mine to prevent management from locking them out.

This led the British superintendent to shoot and kill 21 coal miners and injure 51 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.

They also include Thomas Chukwu, Simon Nwachukwu, Agu Alo, Ogbonnia Ani Chima, Nnaji Nwachukwu, William Nwaku, James Onoh Ekeowa, Felix Nnaji, and Ani Nwaekwe.

Rights activist Mazi Greg Onoh, who filed the suit, sought an acknowledgment of liability, a formal apology from the British Government, and comprehensive compensation for the families who lost their loved ones.

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