Health Minister Faces Contempt Charges Over Court Order

Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako, Nigeria's Minister of State for Health, is facing contempt charges due to his alleged defiance of a court order reinstating Prof.

Mondai Igw as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu. The National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice E.

D. Subilim, ruled on December 11, 2025, that Prof.

Igw's termination was null and void, ordering his immediate reinstatement and the payment of salary arrears along with 3 million Naira in damages. Prof.

Igw, who was first appointed in April 2019, was suspended in September 2023 following a conflict involving Mr. Afam Ndu.

A seven-member ministerial committee recommended Igw's reinstatement, but the Minister's actions were found to violate public service rules. The court issued a Form 48 notice warning both Dr.

Salako and Dr. Nneka of potential contempt proceedings if they continued to disregard the order.

The matter remains active in the National Industrial Court, with enforcement processes ongoing.