Kehinde Fajobi
Twenty-one families of victims killed in the November 18, 1949 Iva Valley massacre in Enugu have filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from the Nigerian and British governments, as well as the Head of the Commonwealth.
In Suit No: E/909/2024, the plaintiffs, represented by Mazi Greg Nwachukwu Onoh, argue that the “deliberate and excessive use of lethal force” by colonial police against unarmed miners violated their right to life under both domestic and international laws.
The case targets:
The Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom
The British Government
The Federal Government of Nigeria
The Attorney General of the Federation
The Head of the Commonwealth
The plaintiffs, represented by Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, contend that the massacre was a state-sanctioned murder, amounting to extrajudicial killings. They argue that the violent response to a peaceful labor protest violated both colonial-era laws and international human rights norms.
The families are seeking:
Acknowledgment of liability for the wrongful execution of the miners
A formal apology from the British Government
Compensation for the families and dependents of the victims
A judicial declaration that the massacre was a grave violation of the right to life
A binding order for the Nigerian Attorney General to engage the British Government for redress
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On November 12, 2024, the Enugu High Court granted the plaintiffs leave to proceed with their case, allowing service of court processes on the respondents.
During a hearing on Thursday, February 13, 2025, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Mrs. N.R. Chude, requested additional time, which was not opposed by the plaintiffs’ lead counsel. The case was adjourned to April 15, 2025, for a definitive hearing.
This legal action aims to hold both the British and Nigerian governments accountable for the 1949 massacre, marking a significant effort to secure justice for the victims.