The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Government to reinstate Prof. Monday Igwe as Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, declaring his termination unlawful. The court also awarded him ₦3 million as compensation for the distress, reputational damage, and disruption caused by his suspension.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Subilim held that Prof. Igwe successfully demonstrated that his removal from office violated the statutory procedures governing his appointment.
“The termination of Prof. Igwe’s appointment was arbitrary, illegal, and a fundamental breach of the mandatory statutory provisions governing his employment,” Justice Subilim ruled.
The court further directed the Federal Government to pay Prof. Igwe all outstanding emoluments from September 2023 up to the date of judgment.
In addition, the court nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Nneka as the hospital’s substantive Medical Director during the pendency of the suit, describing the action as overreaching and unlawful. Justice Subilim consequently ordered that Prof. Igwe be allowed to complete the remainder of his tenure, which stands at three years and five months.
Prof. Igwe was first appointed Medical Director on April 12, 2019, for a four-year term. His appointment was renewed in 2023. However, he was suspended on September 20, 2023, a decision he challenged on the grounds that it contravened the Public Service Rules and the Approved Disciplinary Procedure for Chief Executives of federal agencies.
