Justice E.D. Subilim, in a ruling delivered on December 11, 2025, declared the earlier termination of Prof. Igwe’s appointment unlawful and void, stating that due disciplinary procedures were not followed.

The court also held that Dr. Unaogu’s appointment was invalid because it was made while the case was still before the court, in which she was a party.

Despite the judgment being served on the defendants, reports say the orders have not been complied with several months later.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, said Dr. Unaogu has continued to carry out official duties, including contract awards, banking transactions, and staff-related decisions, despite the court’s ruling.

He warned that individuals and organisations dealing with her risk doing so at their own peril, as no stay of execution has been granted.

The lawyer has also filed Form 48 against the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare and Dr. Unaogu, signalling consequences for alleged disobedience of court orders.

He further urged the minister to review his legal advisers to avoid actions that could put him in breach of the law.

Court documents show the contempt proceedings were filed under relevant enforcement laws, warning that failure to comply with the judgment could lead to imprisonment.

The notice stated that Prof. Igwe remains unlawfully excluded from office, while Dr. Unaogu continues to function as Medical Director in defiance of the court order.

Meanwhile, reports recall that Dr. Unaogu has previously faced contempt proceedings and was once committed to prison by a High Court over disobedience of a court order.

She now risks another potential contempt sanction if the current court directives are not obeyed.

The probe, conducted under Section 46(3) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, is aimed at strengthening public trust in Nigeria’s digital and economic systems, the agency said.

According to the NDPC, cyber threat actors are increasingly using sophisticated methods to compromise the security of major databases, including large-scale data theft and cross-platform system breaches.

As part of regulatory support efforts, a statement signed by Babatunde Bamgboye, Esq., Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, said the National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has ordered the commission’s technical team to engage relevant authorities and key organisations to reinforce data protection safeguards.

The investigation will focus on access control systems, Data Privacy Impact Assessments, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), as well as checks on third-party data processors.

The NDPC assured the public that Nigeria’s data protection frameworks remain strong, noting the growing reliance on data-driven services across the country.