The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the Federal High Court in Ibadan for nullifying the suspension of three student activists of the University of Ibadan, describing the judgment as a victory for students’ rights.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAPPA called on the university to immediately comply with the court’s ruling by reinstating Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus, and issuing an unreserved apology to them.
The organisation said the judgment, delivered by Justice N. E. Maha, affirms students’ constitutional rights to freedom of thought and expression as enshrined in Sections 38 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to CAPPA, the affected students were sanctioned following an incident on May 13, 2024, when they displayed placards bearing messages such as “No To Fee Hike” and “#FEESMUSTFALL” during a Students’ Union inauguration.
CAPPA stated that the students were forcibly removed from the venue, assaulted, and later subjected to disciplinary proceedings that led to the suspension of Aduwo and Gbadegesin for four semesters, while Linus allegedly continued to face institutional restrictions despite not being formally suspended.
The group further referenced the court proceedings, noting that the judge observed that the university authorities did not deny the allegations brought against them by the students.
Reacting to the ruling, CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said the decision sends a strong message against the suppression of dissent in academic institutions.
“When students are punished for peaceful protest, the message is that lawful dissent will not be tolerated. What kind of society punishes its young people for caring enough to speak?” she said.
CAPPA also described the development as part of a broader pattern in Nigerian universities where student activism, particularly around fee hikes, is met with disciplinary actions and intimidation.
The organisation commended the students for seeking legal redress and acknowledged the role of their legal counsel in securing the judgment. It further called on university administrations to adopt more inclusive and transparent approaches in handling policies affecting students, especially those related to fees.
CAPPA added that persistent protests in tertiary institutions are linked to systemic challenges, including the underfunding of the education sector.
