Justice Maha orders reinstatement of three UI student activists
Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, with immediate effect reinstated the three students suspended for protesting hikes in tuition fees.
Her judgement delivered on Wednesday ordered the management of the University of Ibadan to return the studentship of the expelled student activists — Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus and Mide Gbadegesin — for protesting hikes in tuition fees.
The students were suspended on July 14, 2025, by the institution’s management for protesting after the university governing council endorsed a fee hike.
GOVERNMEND speaking to the students, activist Aduwo Ayodele expressed his joy as the court had reinstated them immediately and stopped the university management from perpetrating further injustice against them.
Aduwo believes the victory is a victory for the entire student community and not just for the expelled students alone, stressing that the victory will reinforce and restate the rights of students on campus to decry abnormal conditions in the institution, believing the message gets across to students of the University of Ibadan.
Delivering her judgment Justice Maha said the institution has the right to discipline students, but this must be done fairly and within the law.
Maha said the failure to adhere to fair hearing by the disciplinary committee of the institution rendered the action taken against the suspended students nullity.
The judge stated further that there was no evidence before the court that the peaceful protest disrupted the completion of the inauguration of the newly elected student union executives.
“I hereby set aside the decision of the institution’s disciplinary committee and order the reinstatement of the suspended students and as well restore their full studentship from May 13, 2024,” she said.
When asked when next he, the vice-chancellor I know, knows the right thing, and that he has just a semester to use, so when school resumes he will be resuming with other students for the new session.
Nice Linus, the only female among the three suspended student activists, highlighted the importance of standing for justice despite challenges, while the sole female suspended student expressed hope that the victory would inspire more women to take leadership roles.
Zikorah Ibeh, CAPPA’s assistant executive director, praised the judgement as a defence of democratic rights and critical thinking, urging the university to foster free thought rather than repression.
The students vow to continue their activism, emphasising that victory comes through persistent struggle, and call on Nigerian students to remain fearless in fighting for their rights and proper educational funding.
