Sharon Adurokiya, Reporting
THE Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out an application by the University of Ibadan (UI) and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, seeking an injunction pending the determination of an appeal in a dispute involving three students suspended by the university over a protest against tuition fee increases.
Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha, presiding over the Ibadan Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, struck out the application on Monday, September 14, 2026, following its withdrawal by counsel to the applicants.
The application was filed in Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, arising from the court’s judgment delivered on April 15, 2026, in a case involving Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus and Mide Gbadegesin against the University of Ibadan and Prof. Adebowale.
According to a statement issued by the students, the court observed that there was effectively no order left to stay, as the affected students had already resumed classes, while the substantive matter was pending before the Court of Appeal.
The university had sought the injunction pending the determination of its appeal against the Federal High Court’s April judgment.
An affidavit dated July 9, 2026, deposed to by Toluwalase Omosola, a university staff member, stated that the Vice-Chancellor had appealed the Federal High Court’s judgment before the Court of Appeal.
During Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the applicants, E.O. Fatola, withdrew the injunction application after the court indicated that the matter should be pursued before the Court of Appeal.
Barrister Olumide, who represented the students on behalf of their counsel, Barrister Joseph Opute, said the students had filed a counter-affidavit and written address opposing the application.
He said the court, having considered the circumstances, indicated that the application should be withdrawn because the affected students were already attending classes and the substantive matter was before the Court of Appeal.
“The court thereafter struck out the application and cautioned counsel for the applicants to be more careful with the processes filed before the court,” Olumide said.
Students Welcome Ruling
Reacting to the development, Ayodele, a 400-level History student, welcomed the court’s decision, describing the April judgment as a victory for students’ fundamental right to freedom of expression.
“We welcome the decision of the court to dismiss the Vice-Chancellor’s application for an injunction. The court must continue to be a place where injustice in any form should not be condoned,” Ayodele said.
He maintained that the April 15 judgment remained significant for students across the country, adding that the students remained determined in pursuing their case.
Mide Gbadegesin, an African Studies student, also welcomed the outcome, saying it had strengthened his confidence in the students’ case.
“We remained convinced of the justice of our cause, and today that conviction has once again been vindicated,” Gbadegesin said, while appreciating their legal team, supporters and the court.
Background To The Dispute
The case followed a protest against tuition fee increases at the University of Ibadan.
In April 2026, the Federal High Court ordered the immediate reinstatement of Ayodele and Gbadegesin, who had been rusticated by the university on July 14, 2025.
The dispute dates back to a symbolic protest on May 13, 2024, when Ayodele, Gbadegesin and Nice Linus displayed cardboard placards bearing the inscription #FEESMUSTFALL during the Students’ Union inauguration.
The students were subsequently reported to have been assaulted by university security officers and handed over to personnel of Operation Burst in Ibadan.
They later appeared before the university’s disciplinary panel, after which two of the students were rusticated.
The matter subsequently progressed to the Federal High Court, leading to the April 15, 2026 judgment ordering the students’ reinstatement.
With the university’s injunction application now struck out, the substantive appeal remains before the Court of Appeal.
Source: UIUCJ
