Court Orders University of Ibadan to Reinstate Three Students Suspended Over Tuition Protest
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) to reinstate three students who were suspended over their involvement in a protest against increased tuition fees.
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Maha held that the university violated the students’ right to fair hearing in the disciplinary process that led to their suspension.
The affected students are Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus.
The case followed their suspension on July 14, 2025, after they participated in a protest against a fee hike approved by the university’s governing council.
The protest was triggered by a circular issued by the council’s secretary, G.O. Saliu, which announced an approved review of levies for both newly admitted and returning undergraduate students. The circular also directed students yet to complete registration to do so before a specified deadline to enable preparation for examinations.
In their suit before the court, the applicants argued that their suspension violated their fundamental rights. They also alleged breaches of fair hearing during proceedings before the Student Disciplinary Committee and the Central Student Disciplinary Committee, claiming they were denied the opportunity to call witnesses and present video evidence.
They asked the court to nullify the disciplinary decisions, reinstate their studentship, and award damages for alleged violations of their constitutional rights.
In her judgment, Justice Maha agreed that the disciplinary process fell short of fair hearing standards, stating that the university’s actions infringed on the students’ rights.
“I hereby set aside the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and order the reinstatement of the suspended students,” she ruled.
The court also granted other reliefs sought by the applicants, including declarations on violation of their rights and the setting aside of the rustication orders.
Meanwhile, the ruling has drawn commendation from the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), which urged the university to comply fully with the judgment.
In a statement issued in Ibadan, CAPPA praised the court’s decision, describing it as a strong affirmation of students’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The organisation also called on the university to reinstate the students without delay and issue an unreserved apology for what it described as unjust disciplinary action.
CAPPA further referenced allegations raised during the case, including claims of mistreatment of the students during the incident, which the court noted were not denied by the university.
The judgment reinforces growing judicial scrutiny over the handling of student protests and disciplinary actions in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Source: Punch