A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Wednesday nullified the suspension of student activists of the University of Ibadan, while the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called for an end to what it described as growing repression of student voices in tertiary institutions.
The affected students — Ayodele Aduwo and Mide Gbadegesin — were earlier rusticated by the university authorities, while another student, Nice Linus, was also subjected to alleged victimisation over her role in protesting fee hikes.
In a statement on Wednesday, CAPPA commended the judiciary for quashing what it termed the unlawful suspension of the students, describing the judgment as a reaffirmation of constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
The group urged the university management to immediately comply with the court’s ruling by reinstating the affected students and tendering an unreserved apology to them for what it called “deplorable conduct.”
Justice N. E. Maha, who delivered the judgment, noted that the students were allegedly dragged out of a hall by internal security operatives and handed over to a mob that assaulted them, before being profiled as criminals and transferred to soldiers of Operation Burst.
The court observed that the university authorities did not deny the allegations.
CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, said the ruling sends a strong message to academic institutions against the use of authoritarian measures to silence 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 the university to recommit to its core mandate of fostering critical thinking and intellectual freedom.
The organisation recalled that the students’ ordeal began on May 13, 2024, when they displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as “No to Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during a Students’ Union inauguration.
According to CAPPA, the students were forcibly removed from the venue, assaulted and subjected to prolonged harassment, culminating in disciplinary actions that led to the suspension of Aduwo and Gbadegesin for four semesters.
Linus, though not formally suspended, was allegedly denied the opportunity to resume her role as a legislator in the Students’ Representative Council despite winning election.
The students subsequently approached the court, challenging their suspension and alleging victimisation for exercising their right to peaceful protest.
CAPPA described the development as part of a disturbing trend in Nigerian universities where student activism, particularly against rising fees, is met with sanctions and intimidation.
The organisation commended the courage of the affected students and their legal team, led by Joseph Opute, for pursuing justice.
It also pledged continued support for students across the country facing repression.
“Universities should be spaces for debate, critical thinking and engagement, not zones of fear,” CAPPA stated, warning that suppressing dissent undermines democratic values and the development of future leaders.
The group further called on university authorities to adopt inclusive and transparent processes in decision-making, especially on policies affecting students.
CAPPA added that persistent underfunding of the education sector has continued to shift financial burdens onto students, warning that protests would persist until structural challenges are addressed.
