The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application seeking to suspend the enforcement of its judgment that removed Dr. Ngozi Unaogu as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim reaffirmed his earlier decision and directed that Dr. Monday Igwe be reinstated immediately to serve out the remainder of his tenure as Medical Director.
The court ruled that the applicants failed to present any exceptional or convincing reasons that would justify granting a stay of execution while their appeal is being considered.
Dr. Unaogu, alongside the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of State for Health, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Attorney General of the Federation, the ministry's Permanent Secretary, and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, had approached the court seeking to halt the implementation of the December 11, 2025 judgment.
That earlier judgment declared the termination of Dr. Igwe's appointment unlawful, null and void, after the court found that he still had approximately three years and five months left in his statutory tenure. Justice Subilim had also held that Dr. Igwe successfully proved his claims against all the defendants in the suit.
In rejecting the fresh application, the judge described it as incompetent and contemptuous, adding that it appeared to be an attempt to delay the enforcement of the court's order directing Dr. Igwe's reinstatement.
The court consequently dismissed the application and awarded costs of ₦500,000 against the applicants.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to Dr. Igwe, Michael Okorie, said the dismissal means the original judgment remains fully effective and enforceable. He argued that all official decisions taken by Dr. Unaogu since December 11, 2025—including appointments and contract awards—are invalid because they were made after the court had declared her appointment unlawful. He added that the ruling clears the way for Dr. Igwe's immediate return to office.
