The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Professor Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, declaring the termination of his appointment unlawful.
Delivering judgment, Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim nullified the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Unaogu as the substantive head of the institution and directed that Professor Igwe be returned to office to complete his tenure.
The court also ordered the Federal Government to pay Professor Igwe all outstanding salaries and entitlements from the period of his suspension in September 2023 to December 2025, in addition to awarding him ₦3 million in damages for the hardship and trauma resulting from his removal.
Professor Igwe was suspended by the Federal Ministry of Health in September 2023 over allegations of misconduct. However, a seven-member investigative panel later cleared him of all allegations and recommended his reinstatement. Despite the panel’s findings, the ministry terminated his appointment, prompting him to seek redress at the National Industrial Court.
Justice Subilim held that the Minister of State for Health acted contrary to due process by disregarding the recommendations of the investigative panel and unlawfully terminating Professor Igwe’s appointment.
In a related ruling, the court dismissed an application filed by Dr. Ngozi Unaogu seeking a stay of execution of the judgment, affirming that the reinstatement order remains valid and enforceable pending the outcome of any appeal.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Professor Igwe, Barrister Michael Okorie, described the ruling as a victory for justice and the rule of law. He urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to comply with the court’s directive and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure its immediate implementation in the interest of stability at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.
