An Enugu State High Court has sentenced the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Ngozi Unaogu, and the hospital’s Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Vincent Ubochi, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre for disobeying a court order.
Justice Ngozi Oji, who delivered the ruling, ordered that the two officials remain in custody until they fully comply with the court’s judgment delivered on December 10, 2021, by Justice Ebele Mabel Egumgbe.
The case originated from a lawsuit filed by Dr. Afam Ndu, a nurse and former principal of the hospital’s School of Mental and Basic Psychiatric Nursing.
Ndu had taken legal action against the hospital management after being accused of rape, murder, and possessing fake certificates—allegations that were later proven false.
It was gathered that the Federal Ministry of Health cleared him of wrongdoing, yet the hospital management continued to scrutinize his credentials.
In the 2021 ruling, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the hospital from further investigating Ndu’s qualifications.
The defendants—Dr. Unaogu, Dr. Ubochi, and two other doctors—were found guilty of defamation and ordered to pay N2.5 million in damages.
The court also mandated a retraction of the defamatory publication in a national newspaper within 30 days.
The judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal on January 24, 2024.
However, despite the ruling, Unaogu and Ubochi proceeded to establish a senior staff committee to reexamine Ndu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, claiming it was based on a directive from the Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Justice Oji ruled that their actions constituted a blatant disregard for the court’s authority, leading to their sentencing.
The court ordered that both officials remain in prison custody until they comply fully with the 2021 judgment.
(The Nation)
