The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out an application by the University of Ibadan (UI) seeking to stop three students from continuing their studies pending the outcome of an appeal.
The students, Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin and Linus Adaoma, were disciplined by the university after displaying placards with the messages “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during a student gathering in 2024.
The development was disclosed by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) signed by Robert Egbe, Media & Communications Officer, CAPPA which has been providing legal support to the students.
Court Strikes Out UI Application
The case, filed as Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, followed disciplinary action taken against the students after their protest against an increase in university fees.
On April 15, 2026, Justice N. E. Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, ruled against the university’s disciplinary action and ordered the students’ immediate reinstatement.
The university appealed the judgment and later approached the Federal High Court seeking a stay of execution, which would have prevented the students from attending classes while the appeal was being considered.
But during Monday’s proceedings, the court noted that the students had already resumed and that the substantive appeal was before the Court of Appeal.
The court therefore advised the university to take any further application on the matter to the appellate court.
The university subsequently withdrew its application, leading the court to strike it out.
The decision means the three students can continue attending classes unless the Court of Appeal orders otherwise.
CAPPA Calls for End to Dispute
Reacting to the development, CAPPA called on the University of Ibadan to end what it described as the continued persecution of the students and respect the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court.
The organisation said the students’ case began on May 13, 2024, when they briefly displayed placards during the inauguration of the Students’ Union leadership.
According to CAPPA, the students were removed from the venue by university authorities and later faced disciplinary proceedings.
It said Aduwo and Gbadegesin were suspended for four semesters, while Adaoma, although not formally suspended, was prevented from resuming her role as a legislator in the UI Student Representative Council despite winning a majority of votes in the election.
CAPPA said the students later approached the Federal High Court to challenge the disciplinary measures, arguing that they had been punished for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Organisation Urges UI to Respect Court
CAPPA said the latest development should give the university an opportunity to bring the dispute to an end and allow the students to complete their studies without further harassment or discrimination.
It also called on Nigerian universities to review their disciplinary processes to ensure that students are not punished for peacefully expressing concerns about policies affecting them.
“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 further urged the university to uphold dialogue, due process and respect for students’ rights.
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