Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the University of Ibadan (UI) to end what it described as the continued persecution of three student activists sanctioned over a 2024 protest against fee increases.
The (organisation made the call in a Statement issued by Robert Egbe, Media & Communications Officer, CAPPA.
According to the Statement, the affected students, Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin and Linus Adaoma, were subjected to disciplinary action after displaying placards bearing the inscriptions “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during a student gathering in May 2024.
CAPPA’s call followed Monday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, where the court struck out an application by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, seeking an injunction pending the determination of an appeal against an earlier judgment in favour of the students.
The case, filed as Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, followed disciplinary measures imposed on the students after their peaceful protest against an increase in university fees.
On April 15, 2026, Justice N. E. Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, had quashed the university’s action against the students and ordered their immediate reinstatement.
Rather than comply fully with the judgment, the university appealed the decision and subsequently sought a stay of execution to prevent the students from attending classes pending the determination of the appeal.
However, at Monday’s resumed proceedings, the court observed that there was effectively nothing left to stay, as the students had already resumed classes and 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 means the affected students can continue attending classes unless the Court of Appeal makes an order to the contrary.
Reacting, CAPPA welcomed the court’s decision and urged the university management to respect the students’ fundamental rights and comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court.
The organisation said peaceful expression and protest were legitimate components of democratic participation, particularly in institutions of higher learning where students should be allowed to critically engage with policies affecting their education and welfare.
According to CAPPA, the students’ ordeal began on May 13, 2024, when they briefly 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 what it described as prolonged intimidation and harassment.
It said the disciplinary proceedings eventually led to 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.
With legal support from CAPPA, the students approached the Federal High Court, challenging the disciplinary measures on the grounds that they had been victimised for exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
CAPPA urged the university to use the latest development to de-escalate the dispute and restore a culture of dialogue, accountability and respect for students’ rights.
It also called on the management to desist from further actions that could be perceived as retaliatory and allow the students to complete their studies without intimidation, harassment or discrimination.
The organisation specifically appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to bring the dispute to a dignified end 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,” CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said.
CAPPA also urged Nigerian universities to review their disciplinary procedures to ensure that students’ constitutional rights are protected and that peaceful protests or criticism of institutional policies are not treated as offences.
