Contempt Proceedings Initiated Against Health Minister and Medical Director
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja division, has been requested to commence contempt proceedings against the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako, and Dr. Unaogu Ngozichukwu Nneka, the Medical Director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu State. This action follows their alleged disobedience of a court order to reinstate Prof. Monday Igwe to his position.
Legal Notice and Court Order Details
The contempt proceedings, documented in form 48 and marked NICN/ABJ/23M/2026, were filed by Michael Okorie on behalf of Prof. Monday Igwe. A notice dated April 14, 2026, warns that unless Dr. Salako and Dr. Nneka comply with the court's directions, they will be guilty of contempt and liable to imprisonment. The order, delivered on December 11, 2025, declared the termination of Prof. Igwe's appointment null and void, nullified Dr. Nneka's appointment as Medical Director, and mandated Prof. Igwe's reinstatement with payment of outstanding salaries.
The notice explicitly states that as of April 14, 2026, Dr. Nneka has continued to perform duties as Medical Director, while Prof. Igwe remains unreinstated, in direct disregard of the court's subsisting orders, which have not been stayed.
Background of the Court Judgment
In a judgment from suit number NICN/ABJ/130/2024, the Abuja division of the National Industrial Court ordered the Federal Government to reinstate Prof. Monday Igwe as Medical Director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu State. Justice Emmanuel Subilim, who delivered the judgment, ruled that the termination of Prof. Igwe's appointment was unlawful, null, and void. He also voided Dr. Nneka's appointment as substantive Medical Director during the pendency of the suit, describing it as overreaching and unlawful.
Justice Subilim issued a specific order for the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Igwe to complete his remaining tenure of three years and five months. The court further granted an order for the payment of Prof. Igwe's emoluments from September 2023 until the judgment date.
Defendants and Legal Findings
The defendants listed in the suit include the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu State, and Dr. Unaogu Ngozichukwu Nneka.
According to the certified true copy of the judgment dated December 23, 2025, Justice Subilim held that Prof. Igwe successfully proved his case. The judge stated, "From the foregoing comprehensive analysis and having carefully weighed the evidence on the preponderance of probabilities, the court finds that the claimant has discharged the heavy burden of proof placed upon him." He further emphasized that the termination procedure was arbitrary, illegal, and a fundamental breach of statutory provisions, rendering it void and of no effect.
