By Gabriel Ameh
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has commended the judiciary for overturning the suspension of student activists from the University of Ibadan, describing the ruling as a victory for constitutional rights and student activism.
In a statement issued on April 15, 2026, CAPPA praised the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which nullified the rustication of Ayodele Aduwo and Mide Gbadegesin, while also addressing the alleged victimisation of Nice Linus over her participation in a peaceful protest against fee hikes.The judgment, delivered by Justice N. E. Maha, affirmed the students’ rights to freedom of thought and expression as enshrined in Sections 38 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the court, the students’ claims that they were forcibly removed from a university event, assaulted, and profiled as criminals were not denied by the university authorities.CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, Zikora Ibeh, described the ruling as a clear warning against authoritarian practices in academic institutions, stressing that suppression of dissent is unlawful and unacceptable.
The organisation called on the university to comply fully with the court’s decision by reinstating the affected students and issuing an unreserved apology for the actions taken against them.The case stems from a May 13, 2024 incident during a Students’ Union inauguration, where the students displayed placards reading “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall.”
They were subsequently removed from the venue, allegedly assaulted, and later subjected to disciplinary action.While Aduwo and Gbadegesin were suspended for four semesters, Linus reportedly faced continued victimisation, including being denied her elected position in the Student Representative Council.
CAPPA described the incident as part of a broader pattern of repression in Nigerian universities, where student protests particularly those linked to rising fees are often met with intimidation and punitive measures.
The group commended the students for their resilience and also praised their legal team, led by Joseph Opute, for securing the judgment.Reaffirming its commitment to defending civic rights, CAPPA pledged continued support for students across Nigeria, urging universities to foster environments that encourage critical thinking, dialogue, and participation rather than suppress dissent.
