Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered the University of Ibadan to immediately reinstate three students who were suspended over their participation in a protest against tuition fee increases.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha ruled that the university’s disciplinary proceedings were flawed and violated the students’ constitutional rights, including fair hearing and freedom of expression.
The case arose from an incident on May 13, 2024, during a Students’ Union Government inauguration at Trenchard Hall, where the affected students—Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus—displayed placards rejecting the proposed fee hike.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the students were removed by campus security and later subjected to disciplinary action. In July 2025, the university’s Central Student Disciplinary Committee imposed a four-semester suspension on them, extending into the 2026/2027 academic session.
Delivering judgment, the court nullified the disciplinary action, citing breaches of natural justice. Justice Maha held that the Vice-Chancellor’s participation in the panel, despite being directly involved in the matter, compromised the fairness of the process.
The court further found that the students were denied the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, or cross-examine those who testified against them, thereby undermining their right to a fair hearing.
Reaffirming constitutional protections, the judge stated that peaceful protest is a fundamental right and cannot be suppressed by academic authorities without due process.
Consequently, the court ordered the university to restore the students to full academic status, allowing them to resume lectures and participate in examinations. It also directed the institution to halt any further disciplinary actions related to the protest.
However, the court declined the students’ claim for ₦20 million in damages, ruling that the request was not sufficiently substantiated.
The judgment has been welcomed by civil society organisations, including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, which described the ruling as a significant affirmation of students’ rights and academic freedom.
As of the time of filing this report, the university management had not issued an official response regarding compliance with the court’s directive or a possible appeal.