The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, declaring the termination of his appointment unlawful. The court also invalidated the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Unaogu as the substantive head of the hospital.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, the court directed that Prof. Igwe should immediately return to office to complete his tenure. It further ordered that he be paid all outstanding salaries and entitlements covering the period from his suspension in September 2023 to December 2025. In addition, the court awarded him ₦3 million as compensation for the hardship and emotional distress resulting from his removal.
Prof. Igwe was suspended by the Federal Ministry of Health in September 2023 over allegations of misconduct. A seven-member investigative panel later examined the allegations, cleared him of any wrongdoing, and recommended that he be reinstated.
Despite the panel’s findings, the ministry proceeded to terminate his appointment. Dissatisfied with the decision, Prof. Igwe petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions. After reviewing the case, the committee reportedly criticized the ministry’s handling of the matter, accusing some officials, including the Permanent Secretary, of providing misleading information that led to presidential approval of the termination. The committee subsequently recommended that Prof. Igwe be restored to his position.
When the recommendation was not implemented, Prof. Igwe sought legal intervention at the National Industrial Court.
Justice Subilim ruled that the Minister of State for Health failed to follow established disciplinary procedures by ignoring the investigative panel’s report and terminating the appointment without due process. The judge consequently ordered Prof. Igwe’s immediate reinstatement.
In a separate ruling, the court also dismissed an application filed by Dr. Ngozi Unaogu seeking a stay of execution of the judgment that removed her from office and reinstated Prof. Igwe.
Reacting to the decision, Prof. Igwe’s counsel, Barr. Michael Okorie, said the dismissal of the application means the judgment remains in force and must be complied with unless overturned by an appellate court.
Okorie further stated that administrative decisions allegedly taken by Dr. Unaogu after the court’s judgment of December 11, 2025, including appointments and contract awards, could face legal scrutiny. He advised the public to exercise caution in transactions connected with such actions until the legal process is concluded.
He also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to implement the court’s judgment without delay, stressing that compliance would uphold the rule of law and promote stability in the management of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.
