The National Industrial Court in Abuja has dismissed an application for a stay of execution filed by Dr. Ngozi Unaogu, Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, reaffirming its earlier judgment that removed her from office and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe.
The ruling, delivered by Justice E.D. Subilim, was contained in a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s decision issued on July 15, 2026, and made available to journalists on Thursday.
Reacting to the development, counsel to Prof. Igwe, Barr. Michael Okorie, said the dismissal of the application means the court’s judgment remains valid, binding and enforceable.
According to him, the ruling invalidates all official actions allegedly carried out by Dr. Unaogu after the court delivered its judgment on December 11, 2025, including appointments, promotions and contract awards.
Okorie consequently advised members of the public to exercise caution in dealing with the hospital’s current management, warning that any transactions arising from actions taken contrary to the court’s judgment could be rendered legally ineffective.
He further urged the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, to ensure immediate compliance with the court’s judgment in the interest of the rule of law and the smooth administration of the hospital.
The National Industrial Court had, on December 11, 2025, declared the termination of Prof. Igwe’s appointment as Medical Director unlawful and ordered his immediate reinstatement to complete his tenure.
The court also nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu, holding that her appointment was made while the substantive suit challenging Prof. Igwe’s removal was still pending before the court.
Justice Subilim ruled that the termination of Prof. Igwe’s appointment failed to comply with the prescribed disciplinary procedures and was therefore invalid.
Despite the judgment, the defendants were said to have failed to comply with the court’s orders, prompting Prof. Igwe, through his lawyer, to commence contempt proceedings against Dr. Unaogu and other defendants in April 2026 over the alleged disobedience of the court’s ruling.
