News
Enugu Psychiatric Hospital MD loses Appeal, risks jail term over Contempt
The Court of Appeal in Enugu State has unequivocally dismissed the appeal brought by Dr. Ngozi Unaogu, the acting Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu along with three consultant psychiatrists—Drs Ubochi Vincent, Justin Acho, and Ugwuonye Onyekachi against senior nurse Afam Ndu.
The appeal, designated CA/E/47/2022, challenged the 2021 ruling of the Enugu State High Court in a defamation case initiated by Mr Ndu.
History of the Case
The defamation suit started in 2017 when Nurses Buzor Maduka, Tina Okolo, Sunday Okoli and Afam Ndu rose in condemnation of a job racketeering by one Mrs. Stella Achalla, former secretary to the then Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe.
Mrs. Achalla was later convicted of the crime and sentenced to seven years in prison and refund of the N15 million she had unlawfully obtained from the job scam. However, the nurses who raised the alarm faced backlash from certain doctors who viewed their actions as an affront.
The Doctors wrote to the ministry to cancel the promotion of the Nurses on the basis that they went to school without permission, which was later found not to be true. In the case of Afam, they wrote that he wasn’t properly employed and he doesn’t have the necessary qualifications to be so employed.
Angered by the petition which was signed by the four Doctors mentioned above, nurse Afam went to court to seek redress, alleging that he has been defamed by the petition.
After the trial which lasted for over 4 years, Justice E.M. Egumgbe of Enugu state High Court on the 10th of December, 2021, ruled that “the entire contents of the allegation against the plaintiff in a Petition dated 10/7/17 in Ref; No- NMA/FNPHE/0004 addressed to the Minister of States for Health as signed by the defendants are false, malicious, vexatious and constitutes actionable libel which has caused the plaintiff odium, contempt, ridicule and caricature before right thinking persons.
“Immediate retraction by the defendants of the libelous defamatory statements against the plaintiff together with an unreserved apology in one National Newspapers of widespread in Nigeria on or before 30 days from today.”
“AN ORDER of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants acting by themselves, agents, privies, surrogates or in which ever guise from continuous publication of slanderous or libelous defamatory statements against the plaintiff,” and a fine of “2,500,000 (Two million five hundred thousand naira) as general damages jointly and severally against the defendants for the unjust libelous publication which defamed the character and reputation of the plaintiff.”
Dissatisfied with the High Court ruling, the doctors argued before the appellate court that the letter they sent to the Ministry of Health discrediting Ndu was privileged information. They based their appeal on two issues, including whether the trial court was right to rule that their petition against Ndu was false, malicious, and defamatory.
However, a three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Hon. Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar, while delivering judgement on Thursday struck out the appeal, stating it lacked merit. The panel concluded that the appellants’ grounds of appeal did not substantiate their claims.
Justice Abubakar’s ruling was unanimously upheld by the two other justices on the panel- Justice Joseph Eyo. Ekanem and Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar.
Contempt Looms
Dr. Unogu upon assumption of duty as the Ag. MD of the hospital in 2023, set up a senior staff committee headed by herself with Dr. Ubochi as her Vice to review the matter which was long decided by the court in 2017. When form 48 was served to them, they said their action was premised on the fact that the matter is still before the Appeal.
With the recent appeal decided in Ndu’s favour, the coast is now clear for the duo of Drs Ubochi and Unogu to show cause why they won’t be committed to prison.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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