The Northern Land Council's chief executive Joe Morrison has been sacked amid deep divisions within the organisation that represents Aboriginal Australians on land rights.
Mr Morrison had recently resigned citing "personal reasons" in what was presented as an amiable parting after nearly five years at the NLC, a powerful statutory authority.
He was not due to leave until the end of next March but eight of the council's nine-member executive voted to terminate his employment on Friday with one absentee.
The organisation's reputation has been affected by personal conflicts, divisions and a scandal involving Mr Morrison's relationship with an executive assistant, even though he's married.
The council's deputy chairman John Christophersen said the decision was to allow for a quicker transition to an "environment with a new CEO" rather than wait until March.
"We are in a difficult situation at the moment, we are trying to deal with a number of issues and maintain the integrity of the Northern Land Council," he told AAP.
"More importantly we are making sure our people in the bush have a properly functioning organisation, that's what we're trying to do."
Comment was sought from Mr Morrison who will be paid out until the end of March 2019.
The NLC is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth responsible for assisting Aboriginal peoples in the Top End of the Northern Territory to acquire and manage their traditional lands and seas.
When he quit a fortnight ago Mr Morrison said it was for "personal reasons and that it was time to explore other opportunities".
"He has enjoyed his time at the NLC and says he has achieved many of the commitments he gave to the late Mr Wunungmurra who was chairman when he was recruited," an NLC statement said.
"The NLC is a fundamentally important institution for Aboriginal people of the Top End and he leaves the NLC in a better position to deal with the challenges faced by Traditional Owners than when he joined in 2014."
