The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has recommended the reinstatement of Professor Monday Igwe as the medical director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu. This decision follows a petition brought before the House by Igwe against the Federal Ministry of Health and the hospital, contesting his removal from the position.
After hearing from all parties involved, the committee concluded that President Bola Tinubu was misled in replacing Igwe as the medical director. Hon. Mike Ataba, the committee chairman, stated, “We have listened to this matter. We don’t need to call the Honourable Minister of Health for state. Mr. President has been misled for him to replace this man (Igwe). And the House’s position is that this man be reinstated back to his duties and that will be our recommendation to the floor.”
In his petition, Igwe argued that his suspension and subsequent termination did not adhere to established procedures. He requested the parliament to declare his suspension and termination illegal and to reinstate him to his position.
Testifying before the committee, Igwe explained that he was appointed as medical director for a second and final term effective from April 1, 2023. However, in September of the same year, he faced allegations, including the closure of the School of Nursing, which he refuted.
“On September 5, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Health issued a query regarding the allegations of closing the school,” Igwe stated. “I responded on September 8, expecting a fair hearing. However, on September 20, I received an indefinite suspension letter without any opportunity to explain my response to the query. This suspension was unfair and unprecedented, as there is no provision for indefinite suspension in the public service.”
