A Federal High Court on Wednesday, April 15, ordered the University of Ibadan (UI) to immediately reinstate two students suspended for participating in a peaceful protest against tuition fee increases.
The affected students are Ayodele Aduwo, a 400-level student in the Department of History, and Gbadegesin Olamide, a Master’s student at the Institute of African Studies.
Delivering judgment, Justice Maha nullified the disciplinary actions taken against the students, ruling that their suspension for four semesters violated the principles of natural justice and denied them fair hearing.
The court held that the university’s disciplinary panels failed to establish any evidence that the students disrupted public order during the protest as alleged. Justice Maha described the entire process as “fundamentally flawed” and incapable of standing in law.
Moreso, the court directed the university to restore all rights and privileges of the students, including access to lectures, examinations, and participation in student union activities. It also restrained the institution from taking any further disciplinary action related to the protest.
Justice Maha further criticised the composition of the disciplinary committee, noting that a petitioner in the case was part of the panel that recommended sanctions.
“Such a process is clearly tainted by bias,” she ruled.
The judge also clarified that only law enforcement agencies, not university security personnel have the legal authority to carry out arrests.
The case originated from a protest held in May 2024 at Trenchard Hall, where three students displayed placards bearing the inscription “Fees Must Fall” in opposition to a significant hike in tuition fees. While two of the students were suspended, the case involving the third student, Nice Linus, remains pending.
The affected students had maintained that the protest was peaceful. They also alleged that they were forcefully arrested by university security, assaulted, and handed over to a joint security outfit known as Operation Burst, where they were reportedly profiled as suspected cultists.
Reacting to the judgment, Ayodele Aduwo described the ruling as a victory not only for the affected students alone but also for the entire student body.
“This victory reinforces the right of students to speak out against injustice and challenge unfavourable conditions on campus,” he said.
He further urged students to actively assert their rights in confronting policies that undermine student welfare.
In a show of support, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), represented by Zikora Ibeh, commended the judiciary for upholding students’ rights.
“This judgment sends a strong message that suppressing peaceful dissent is unlawful,” the organisation stated, while urging the university to fully comply with the ruling and issue an apology.
However, the court declined the students’ request for monetary compensation, citing insufficient justification for the claims.
