Introduction On 19th December, 2025, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Enugu Division, delivered a ruling in the Case of Dr Mrs Regina Eze v Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo, Enugu State & 3 Ors (Suit No. NICN/EN/13/2025) on the application of the Public Officer Protection Act (POPA) to contract of employment with statutory flavour. Against the principle of judicial precedent and stare decisis, the court overlooked the extant position of the law as established in the recent cases of Anolam v FUTO (2025) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1984) 651 (SC; (2025) LPELR-80027(SC) and Okoronkwo v INEC (2025) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1991) 131 (SC); (2025) LPELR-80425(SC), went ahead to distinguished same, and came to the conclusion relying on National Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission & 2 Ors v Ajibol...