Court Defends Free Speech, Nullifies UI Students’ Suspension

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has nullified the suspension of student activists of the University of Ibadan, declaring the disciplinary action against them unlawful.

The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice N. E. Maha on Wednesday, set aside the rustication of Ayodele Aduwo and Mide Gbadegesin, who were earlier sanctioned by the university authorities over their involvement in a protest against fee hikes.

Reacting to the ruling, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) commended the judiciary for upholding the constitutional rights of the students, while calling for an end to what it described as the growing repression of student voices in tertiary institutions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAPPA urged the university management to immediately comply with the court’s ruling by reinstating the affected students and tendering an unreserved apology for what it termed “deplorable conduct.”

According to the court, the students were allegedly dragged out of a hall by internal security operatives, handed over to a mob that assaulted them, and subsequently profiled as criminals before being transferred to soldiers of Operation Burst. The court noted that the university authorities did not deny the allegations presented before it.

CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, described the judgment as a strong warning to academic institutions against the use of authoritarian measures to suppress dissent.

“The court’s decision makes it clear that the use of intimidation and suppression to stifle legitimate expression is unlawful and unacceptable,” she said, urging universities to recommit to their core mandate of promoting critical thinking and intellectual freedom.

The organisation recalled that the incident dated back to May 13, 2024, when the affected students displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as “No to Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during a Students’ Union inauguration ceremony.

CAPPA alleged that the students were forcibly removed from the venue, assaulted, and subjected to prolonged harassment, which later culminated in the suspension of Aduwo and Gbadegesin for four semesters.

Another student, Nice Linus, was also reportedly affected, as she was allegedly denied the opportunity to resume her role as a legislator in the Students’ Representative Council despite winning an election.

Following the incident, the students approached the court, challenging their suspension and alleging victimisation for exercising their right to peaceful protest.

CAPPA described the case as part of a broader trend across Nigerian universities, where student activism—particularly against rising tuition fees—is often met with sanctions and intimidation.

The group commended the courage of the students and their legal counsel, led by Joseph Opute, for pursuing justice, and pledged continued support for students facing similar challenges nationwide.

“Universities should be spaces for debate, critical thinking and engagement, not zones of fear,” the organisation stated, warning that suppressing dissent undermines democratic values and the development of future leaders.

CAPPA further called on university authorities to adopt more inclusive and transparent decision-making processes, especially on policies affecting students, noting that persistent underfunding of the education sector continues to shift financial burdens onto students and fuel protests.