Industrial Court Orders Reinstatement of Enugu Hospital MD

Abuja, January 13, 2026

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, has ordered the reinstatement of Professor Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, declaring the termination of his appointment unlawful, null and void.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by Professor Monday Igwe as claimant against seven defendants. In his verdict, the court also nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Nneka as the substantive Medical Director of the hospital during the pendency of the suit, describing the action as overreaching and unlawful.

Justice Subilim held that Professor Igwe successfully proved his case against the defendants and consequently ordered his immediate reinstatement as Medical Director of the institution to complete his unexpired tenure of three years and five months.
The court further directed the defendants to pay Professor Igwe all his outstanding emoluments from September 2023 up to the date of the judgment.

In his ruling, Justice Subilim declared that the procedure adopted for the purported termination of Professor Igwe’s appointment was arbitrary, illegal, and constituted a fundamental breach of the mandatory statutory provisions and regulations governing his employment.

Additionally, the court awarded the sum of three million naira (₦3,000,000) in damages in favour of Professor Igwe against the defendants.
The judgment marks a significant decision on adherence to due process in the administration of public health institutions and reinforces the sanctity of statutory employment protections.