The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the University of Ibadan to end what it described as the continued persecution of three student activists following a Federal High Court ruling striking out the university’s bid to halt their resumption.
CAPPA made the call after the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, struck out an application by the University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, seeking an injunction to stop the students from attending classes pending the determination of an appeal.
The students, Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin and Linus Adaoma faced disciplinary action after displaying “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” placards during a student gathering in 2024.
In a statement signed by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA urged the university to respect the students’ fundamental rights and comply with the court’s earlier judgment ordering their reinstatement.
The court had, on April 15, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, quashed the university’s disciplinary action and ordered the immediate reinstatement of the affected students.
The university subsequently appealed the judgment and sought a stay of execution to prevent the students from attending classes while the appeal was pending.
However, during Monday’s proceedings, the court held that there was nothing left to stay because the students had already resumed and the substantive appeal was before the Court of Appeal.
The court advised the university to direct any further application to the appellate court. The university subsequently withdrew its application, prompting the court to strike it out.
CAPPA welcomed the development, saying the students could continue attending classes unless the Court of Appeal ordered otherwise.
“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 called for dialogue and an end to what it described as retaliatory actions, intimidation, harassment and discrimination against the students.
The organisation alleged that the dispute began on May 13, 2024, during the inauguration of the Students’ Union leadership, when the students displayed placards protesting fee increases.
According to CAPPA, the students were forcibly removed from the gathering and allegedly physically assaulted and profiled as cultists.
It said Aduwo and Gbadegesin were subsequently suspended for four semesters, while Adaoma was allegedly prevented from resuming his role as a legislator in the university’s Student Representative Council despite receiving a majority mandate.
CAPPA said it provided legal support to the students, who challenged the sanctions on the grounds that they violated their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The organisation urged the university to allow the students to complete their studies without intimidation or harassment and called on Nigerian universities to review their disciplinary procedures.
