Enugu High Court to Rule January 2026 on 1949 Iva Valley Massacre
A landmark case seeking justice for the 21 coal miners shot dead by British colonial police in the Iva Valley of Enugu in 1949 has been adjourned once again.
Justice A. O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court announced on Tuesday that a ruling on the substantive application and a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction will be delivered on 29 January 2026.
The hearing, which resumed this week, featured arguments from Professor Yemi Akinseye‑George (SAN) and his team, who contend that the Nigerian government must “facilitate a remedy” for the violation of the miners’ right to life, despite the colonial origins of the atrocity.
They are pressing for an official apology, compensation, and acknowledgement of liability from both the British and Nigerian governments.
Conversely, the respondents including the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney‑General through counsel M. N. Chude, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction, asserting that the Nigerian state cannot be held liable for acts committed under colonial rule.
The court granted a 21‑day window for the filing of consequential amendments and will reconvene for a final hearing on 18 September 2025 before the January ruling.
The Iva Valley incident, in which 21 unarmed miners were killed and 51 injured during a protest over unpaid wages and poor conditions, remains a potent symbol of colonial exploitation in Nigeria.
The case has attracted renewed attention amid global movements demanding accountability for historic injustices.
The plaintiffs, represented by P. N. Agazie, Ozioma Eguzuruibe, Chidinma Eze, and Florence Iloanya, argue that the shootings constituted a breach of fundamental rights under both colonial-era statutes and contemporary Nigerian law.
They also seek diplomatic pressure on the British government to deliver reparations.
Justice Onovo’s decision to adjourn until early 2026 provides both parties additional time to file submissions, bringing the decades‑old quest for justice a step closer to resolution.
