The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) to reinstate three students who were suspended for participating in a protest against a hike in tuition fees.
Justice Nkeonye Maha issued the ruling on Wednesday, holding that the university’s disciplinary process violated the students’ constitutional right to fair hearing.
The affected students are Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus. They were suspended on July 14, 2025, following demonstrations that erupted after the university’s Governing Council approved an increase in tuition fees.
The protest was reportedly triggered by a circular signed by the Council’s Secretary, G.O. Saliu, which stated that the council had considered and approved a revised schedule of levies for newly admitted and returning undergraduate students for the 2023/2024 academic session, as recommended by the university Senate. The circular also directed students who had not completed their registration to do so before September 4, 2024, to enable departments to prepare for first-semester examinations.
Dissatisfied with their suspension, the students approached the court, arguing that the disciplinary proceedings constituted a violation of their fundamental human rights. They contended that they were denied the opportunity to call witnesses and present video evidence before both the Student Disciplinary Committee and the Central Student Disciplinary Committee.
Among the reliefs sought were:
• A declaration that the refusal to allow them to call witnesses and tender video evidence amounted to a breach of their right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
• An order setting aside the decisions of the Central Student Disciplinary Committee, which included rustication of the first and second applicants for four semesters, a requirement to sign an undertaking of good behaviour, restrictions from involvement in student union activities, and mandatory professional counselling.
• An order for their immediate reinstatement with full studentship rights and privileges, including attending lectures, writing examinations, and participating in student union activities.
• A perpetual injunction restraining the university from subjecting them to further disciplinary proceedings for exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
• General damages of ₦20 million jointly and severally against the respondents for the alleged infringement of their fundamental rights, as well as exemplary damages of ₦5 million against the second respondent for what they described as a flagrant disregard for the law.
In her judgment, Justice Maha held that the university authorities breached the students’ right to fair hearing by failing to provide them with an adequate opportunity to defend themselves.
“I hereby set aside the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and order the reinstatement of the suspended students,” the judge ruled.
The court’s decision effectively restores the students’ academic status and underscores the importance of adherence to due process and constitutional safeguards in university disciplinary proceedings.
