Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the University of Ibadan (UI) to end its prolonged dispute with three student activists following Monday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.
The organisation’s call came after the court struck out an application by UI Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kayode Adebowale seeking an injunction in connection with the university’s appeal against an earlier judgment ordering the reinstatement of students affected by disciplinary action over a 2024 protest.
Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha struck out the application after counsel to the university, E.O. Fatola, withdrew it during proceedings. 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 application was filed in Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, arising from the Federal High Court’s April 15, 2026 judgment in the dispute involving Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus and Mide Gbadegesin and the university.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer, CAPPA, the organisation urged the university to respect the April judgment and allow the affected students to continue their studies without further intimidation or harassment. The organisation said the latest court development should provide an opportunity for the university to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
CAPPA said the students became involved in the dispute after displaying placards bearing messages including “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during the inauguration of Students’ Union representatives in May 2024.
The organisation alleged that the students were subsequently subjected to disciplinary proceedings and other forms of harassment. Ayodele and Gbadegesin were later suspended for four semesters, while Linus faced difficulties regarding her participation in the Students’ Representative Council.
The students subsequently challenged the disciplinary measures in court. In April 2026, the Federal High Court ordered the reinstatement of Ayodele and Gbadegesin, after which the university appealed the decision. Reports on Monday’s proceedings confirmed that the appeal remains before the Court of Appeal.
Reacting to the latest development, CAPPA said peaceful expression and protest should not be treated as offences within tertiary institutions and called for greater protection of students’ rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and due process.
The organisation also urged Nigerian universities to review their disciplinary procedures to ensure that students who criticise institutional policies are not subjected to punitive measures without due process.
CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said the university should use the latest development to uphold the rule of law and bring the dispute to an end.
