The Federal High Court in Ibadan has struck out an application by the University of Ibadan seeking to stop three student activists from continuing their studies pending the determination of an appeal against an earlier judgment ordering their reinstatement.
The application was filed by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, following a judgment that quashed disciplinary measures imposed on Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin and Linus Adaoma over their participation in a peaceful protest against an increase in university fees.
The students had displayed placards bearing the inscriptions “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during a student gathering in 2024.
The matter, filed as Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, came up again on Monday at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division.
On April 15, 2026, Justice N. E. Maha had quashed the university’s disciplinary action against the students and ordered their immediate reinstatement.
The university subsequently appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution, seeking an order preventing the students from continuing to attend classes while the appeal was pending.
At Monday’s proceedings, however, the court observed that there was effectively nothing left to stay because the students had already resumed classes, while the substantive appeal was before the Court of Appeal.
The court advised the university to direct any further application concerning the matter to the appellate court.
Following the court’s position, the university withdrew its application, prompting 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 allows the three students to continue attending classes unless the Court of Appeal makes an order to the contrary.
Reacting to the development, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), which provided legal support and representation to the students, called on the University of Ibadan to end what it described as the continued persecution of the students and comply with the Federal High Court judgment.
CAPPA said the students’ ordeal began on May 13, 2024, when they displayed the placards during the inauguration of the Students’ Union leadership.
The organisation alleged that the students were forcibly removed from the venue, physically assaulted and profiled as cultists before facing prolonged intimidation and harassment.
According to CAPPA, disciplinary proceedings subsequently resulted in Aduwo and Gbadegesin being suspended for four semesters, while Adaoma, although not formally suspended, was allegedly prevented from resuming her role as a legislator in the UI Student Representative Council despite securing a majority mandate in the election.
The organisation said the students challenged the disciplinary measures at the Federal High Court, arguing that they had been victimised for exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
CAPPA maintained that peaceful expression and protest were legitimate components of democratic participation, particularly in institutions of higher learning where students should be able to engage critically with policies affecting their education and welfare.
It urged the university management to de-escalate the dispute, respect the students’ rights and allow them to complete their studies without intimidation, harassment or discrimination.
CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said the university should comply with the court’s judgment and uphold the rule of law.
“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,” Ibeh said.
CAPPA also urged Nigerian universities to review their disciplinary procedures to ensure that students’ constitutional rights are protected and that peaceful protest or criticism of institutional policies is not treated as an offence.