THE Federal High Court in Ibadan has struck out an application by the University of Ibadan (UI) seeking to prevent three suspended student activists from resuming classes pending the determination of an appeal against an earlier judgment ordering their reinstatement.
The application, filed by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Kayode Adebowale, sought an injunction to stay the execution of the April 15, 2026, judgment that quashed disciplinary measures imposed on the students namely Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin and Linus Adaoma.
The development followed proceedings at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, on Monday, September 14, in Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025.
According to the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), which provided legal support to the students, the court observed that there was effectively nothing left to stay because the students had already resumed classes and the substantive appeal was pending before the Court of Appeal.
The court consequently advised the university to direct any further application concerning the matter to the appellate court.
The university subsequently withdrew the application, leading the court to strike it out. The court also cautioned the university’s counsel to exercise greater care when filing processes before it.
The development means the three students can continue attending classes unless the Court of Appeal makes an order to the contrary.
Why the students were suspended
The dispute dates back to May 13, 2024, when the students displayed placards bearing the inscriptions “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during the inauguration of the Students’ Union leadership at the university.
The protest followed an increase in fees announced by the university’s governing council for new and returning undergraduate students for the 2023/2024 academic session.
The students were subsequently subjected to disciplinary proceedings by the university.
Aduwo and Gbadegesin were suspended for four semesters, while Adaoma, who was not formally suspended, was prevented from resuming her role as a legislator in the UI Student Representative Council despite winning a majority mandate in the election.
The students challenged the disciplinary measures at the Federal High Court, arguing that the university had violated their fundamental rights, including their rights to fair hearing, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
They also alleged that they were denied the opportunity to call witnesses and present video evidence during the university’s disciplinary proceedings.
Court orders reinstatement
On April 15, N. E. Maha, a justice of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, ruled in favour of the students and ordered their immediate reinstatement.
The court set aside the disciplinary committee’s decision and directed the university to restore the students’ full studentship rights and privileges.
The ruling allowed them to attend lectures, write examinations and participate in student union activities.
The students had also sought N20 million in damages over alleged violations of their constitutional rights.
Following the judgment, the university appealed the decision and subsequently sought a stay of execution to prevent the students from continuing to attend classes while the appeal was pending.
Monday’s proceedings, however, ended with the withdrawal and striking out of the application.
CAPPA asks UI to end dispute
Reacting to the development, CAPPA urged the university to respect the Federal High Court judgment and bring the dispute to an end.
The organisation said peaceful expression and protest are legitimate forms of democratic participation and should not be treated as offences within tertiary institutions.
“The court has spoken on the immediate issue. The responsible next step is for the University of Ibadan to practise what it preaches and lead by example by obeying the judgment and upholding the rule of law,” CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said.
CAPPA urged the university to desist from actions that could be perceived as retaliatory and allow the students to complete their studies without intimidation, harassment or discrimination.
It also called on Nigerian universities to review their disciplinary procedures to ensure that students’ constitutional rights are protected and that peaceful criticism or protest against institutional policies is not criminalised or punished.
The organisation said the latest court decision should provide an opportunity for the university to de-escalate the dispute and promote dialogue, accountability and respect for students’ rights.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M