Court Clears UI Students To Resume As CAPPA Demands End To ‘Persecution’
A court’s decision to strike out the University of Ibadan’s bid to stop three student activists from attending classes has cleared the way for them to continue their studies, pending any contrary order from the Court of Appeal.
The Federal High Court in Ibadan struck out an application by the University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, seeking an injunction to halt the students’ resumption while the university’s appeal against an earlier judgment remained pending.
The case followed disciplinary action against Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin and Linus Adaoma after they displayed placards reading “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during a student gathering in May 2024.
In April 2026, Justice N. E. Maha had quashed the university’s action and ordered the students’ immediate reinstatement.
The university appealed and subsequently sought a stay of execution.
But at Monday’s proceedings, the court held that there was effectively nothing left to stay because the students had already resumed and the substantive appeal was before the Court of Appeal.
The university consequently withdrew its application, which the court struck out.
Reacting, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) urged the university to end the dispute, respect the students’ fundamental rights and allow them to complete their studies without intimidation or harassment.
CAPPA said the development should be an opportunity for UI to restore dialogue and respect for peaceful expression and protest within the university community.
The organisation’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said the university should now obey the court’s judgment and uphold the rule of law.
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