The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application for a stay of execution filed by Dr. Ngozi Unaogu, Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu, thereby reaffirming its earlier judgment that removed her from office and ordered the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe to complete his tenure as Medical Director.
Key Highlights
- National Industrial Court dismisses Dr. Ngozi Unaogu’s stay of execution application.
- Court upholds earlier judgment reinstating Prof. Monday Igwe as Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu.
- Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling was issued on July 15, 2026.
- Prof. Igwe’s lawyer says the judgment remains valid and enforceable.
- Legal counsel warns that actions allegedly taken contrary to the court’s judgment may have no legal effect.
- Calls intensify for the Federal Government to implement the court’s ruling.
The decision is contained in a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s ruling issued on July 15, 2026, following the decision of Justice E. D. Subilim on the application for a stay of execution. The document was made available to journalists on Thursday.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to Prof. Monday Igwe, Barr. Michael Okorie, said the dismissal of the application means the court’s judgment delivered on December 11, 2025, remains fully operative and enforceable.
According to Okorie, the implication of the ruling is that any official actions allegedly carried out in contravention of the court’s judgment, including appointments and contract awards, may be subject to legal challenge.
He also advised members of the public to exercise caution in any official dealings connected to the disputed office pending full compliance with the court’s judgment.
Okorie further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare to immediately implement the court’s decision, stressing that compliance would reinforce the rule of law and promote stability within the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu.
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It will be recalled that on December 11, 2025, the National Industrial Court ruled that the termination of Prof. Monday Igwe’s appointment as Medical Director was unlawful, null and void.
The court subsequently ordered his immediate reinstatement to complete his tenure and also nullified the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Unaogu, holding that her appointment was made while the substantive suit, in which she was a party, was still pending before the court.
Justice Subilim further held that the disciplinary procedures leading to Prof. Igwe’s removal did not comply with the relevant legal requirements.
Despite the judgment, Prof. Igwe’s legal team alleged that the defendants had yet to comply with the court’s orders several months after the ruling was delivered.
Consequently, Barr. Michael Okorie, acting on behalf of Prof. Igwe, instituted contempt proceedings against Dr. Unaogu and other defendants in mid-April 2026 over the alleged failure to obey the court’s judgment.
The latest ruling is expected to further shape the legal dispute surrounding the leadership of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu, as stakeholders await the Federal Government’s next line of action regarding the implementation of the court’s directives.
