The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out an application by the University of Ibadan and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, seeking an injunction pending the determination of an appeal in the case involving the UI3 suspended by the University over a protest against tuition fee increases.
Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha, presiding over the Ibadan Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, struck out the application on Monday, September 14, 2026, following its withdrawal by counsel to the applicants.
The application was filed in Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, arising from the court’s judgment delivered on April 15, 2026, in the case involving Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus and Mide Gbadegesin against the University of Ibadan and its Vice-Chancellor.
According to the press statement issued by the students, the court observed that there was effectively no order left to stay, as the affected students had already resumed classes and the substantive matter was pending before the Court of Appeal.
The University had sought an injunction pending the determination of its appeal against the Federal High Court’s April judgment.
According to an affidavit dated 9th July 2026, deposed to by Toluwalase Omosola, a staff member of the University, the Vice-Chancellor had appealed the Federal High Court’s judgment before the Court of Appeal.
During Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the applicants, E.O. Fatola, withdrew the application following an indication from the court that the applicants should pursue the matter before the Court of Appeal.
Barrister Olumide, who represented the students on behalf of their counsel, Barrister Joseph Opute, said the students had filed a counter-affidavit and written address opposing the application.
He said the court, after considering the circumstances, indicated that the application should be withdrawn because the respondents were already attending classes and the substantive matter was before the Court of Appeal.
“The Court thereafter struck out the application and cautioned Counsel for the Applicants to be more careful with the processes filed before the Court”, Olumide said.
Students react
Reacting to the ruling, Aduwo Ayodele, a 400-level History student, welcomed the court’s decision and described the April judgment as a victory for students’ fundamental rights to expression.
He said, “We welcome the decision of the court to dismiss the Vice-Chancellor’s application for an injunction. The court must continue to be a place where injustice in any form should not be condoned. The victory obtained on April 15th remains a victory for all students in the country and a defence of our fundamental rights to expression. We remain undaunted. As it is said, the arc of justice may be long, but it will always bend towards justice.”
Mide Gbadegesin, an African Studies student, also welcomed the outcome, saying the ruling had reaffirmed his confidence in the students’ case.
“We remained convinced of the justice of our cause, and today that conviction has once again been vindicated”, Gbadegesin said.
He also expressed appreciation to the students’ legal team, supporters and the court.
Background
In April, the court had ordered the immediate reinstatement of Aduwo Ayodele and Mide Gbadegesin, who were rusticated by the university on July 14, 2025, for protesting against the hike in tuition fees.
Before their eventual rustication, the trio – Nice Linus, Mide Gbadegesin and Aduwo Ayodele – held a symbolic protest where the students held cardboards with the inscription #FEESMUSTFALL during the SU inauguration.
Following their protest on May 13, 2024, the students were reportedly assaulted by the university’s security officers, handed over to the Ibadan division of Operation Burst personnel and then faced the school’s disciplinary panel after which two of the students were rusticated before the matter escalated to the court.
