Industrial Court Nullifies Sack, Orders Immediate Reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as MD of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the reinstatement of Professor Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.
The court declared the termination of his appointment unlawful, null, and void.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim delivered the verdict in suit number NICN/ABJ/130/2024, involving Professor Monday Igwe as the claimant and seven defendants.
The defendants include the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, and the Medical Director of the hospital.
The court voided the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Nneka (also referred to as Dr. Unaogu Ngozihukwu Nneka or Dr. Unaogu Ngozichukwu Nneka in reports) as the substantive Medical Director of the hospital, which occurred during the pendency of the suit. Justice Subilim described this action as overreaching and unlawful.
The judge held that Professor Igwe had successfully proved his case against the defendants on the preponderance of probabilities.
The court ordered Professor Igwe’s reinstatement as Medical Director to complete his remaining three years and five months in office.
It further directed the payment of Professor Igwe’s emoluments from September 2023 up to the date of the judgment.
Justice Subilim ruled that the procedure for the purported termination of Professor Igwe’s appointment was arbitrary, illegal, and a fundamental breach of the mandatory statutory provisions and regulations governing his employment.
Additionally, the court awarded the sum of ₦3 million in favour of Professor Igwe against the defendants.
Professor Igwe was initially appointed Medical Director via a letter dated April 12, 2019, for a four-year tenure.