Legal Crisis at Enugu Hospital as CMD Faces Contempt Charges Amid Staff Dispute
The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu is embroiled in a legal battle as its acting Chief Medical Director, Dr. Ngozi Unogu, faces contempt charges initiated by Dr. AC Ndu, a hospital staff member.
This situation follows Dr. Ndu’s recent victory in a defamation case against hospital officials, which is currently under appeal. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Chijioke Ezeh, the attorney representing Dr. Ndu, shared that Justice E.M. Egumbge of the Enugu State High Court had ruled in favor of Dr. Ndu in 2020, awarding him ₦2.5 million in damages and issuing a permanent injunction against the defendants, including Dr. Unogu and Dr. Ubochi, preventing them from questioning his qualifications.
Ezeh stated, “The court confirmed that Dr. Ndu holds the necessary credentials to serve as the principal of the School of Basic Mental Health Nursing. Despite this, the defendants ignored the court’s ruling and established a committee to investigate his qualifications.”
He accused Dr. Unogu of presiding over this committee while being a party to the initial case, arguing that her actions constitute contempt and an attempt to undermine Dr. Ndu’s credibility. “This is nothing short of a witch-hunt; my client has faced targeting since 2017. We are now seeking legal recourse,” Ezeh asserted.
In response, Boniface Ugwu, representing the defendants, argued that discussing the matter publicly is inappropriate as it remains under judicial review. “The case is still in the courts. An appeal was filed immediately following the 2020 ruling, and we are currently awaiting a decision on the motion for a stay of execution.”
Founded in 1962, the hospital provides mental health services across the South-East, South-South, and North-Central regions of Nigeria. Its mission is to excel in mental health care by adhering to high ethical standards while reducing psychiatric disorders and stigma within the community.
The hospital offers a range of services, including medical, nursing, pharmacy, and social welfare, supported by a team of consultants.
Regarding the ongoing legal dispute, the potential outcomes remain uncertain, but it highlights the necessity for healthcare institutions and professionals to uphold ethical practices to ensure patient welfare.
On a related note, Onyebuchi Igboke, a member of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria, has called for government intervention, criticizing the hospital management and the Ministry of Health for purportedly enabling misconduct.
He stated, “It is crucial that court rulings are enforced. Public officials must comply with legal mandates. Dr. Unogu has overstayed her tenure as acting CMD, and we urge the Permanent Secretary or Minister of State for Health to enforce relevant civil service guidelines. The law requires suspension of an officer under criminal investigation until the matter is resolved.”
Igboke also raised concerns about delays in appointing a new CMD, suggesting that such inaction indicates complicity. Additionally, he noted the absence of staff audits at the hospital, which contradicts established regulations.
