Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA has commended the judiciary for overturning the suspension of student activists at the University of Ibadan, describing the ruling as a victory for constitutional rights and freedom of expression.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the organisation praised the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which nullified the rustication of Ayodele Aduwo and Mide Gbadegesin, while also addressing the alleged victimisation of Nice Linus.
The court, presided over by N. E. Maha, held that the actions taken against the students were unlawful, affirming their rights to freedom of thought and expression as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Reacting to the ruling, CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said the judgment sends a strong message against the use of authoritarian tactics in academic institutions.
“The court’s decision sends an unequivocal message to the University of Ibadan and other oppressive academic institutions nationwide that tyranny and the use of authoritarian tactics to stifle legitimate dissent is unlawful, unacceptable and will not stand,” she said.
The organisation called on the university to immediately comply with the court’s decision by reinstating the affected students and issuing an unreserved apology.
According to CAPPA, the students’ ordeal began on May 13, 2024, when they displayed placards protesting fee hikes during a Students’ Union event. The group alleged that they were forcibly removed, assaulted, and subjected to prolonged intimidation, which culminated in their suspension.
CAPPA further criticised what it described as a growing trend of repression of student activism across Nigerian universities, particularly in response to protests against rising tuition fees.
The group also commended the students for their resilience and praised their legal team, led by Joseph Opute, for securing the judgment.
It urged university authorities nationwide to uphold democratic values, respect students’ rights, and adopt transparent, inclusive processes in decision-making, especially on issues affecting student welfare.
CAPPA warned that continued suppression of dissent could erode trust in academic institutions, stressing that universities should remain spaces for critical thinking, debate, and civic engagement.
