The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), on Tuesday, called for an immediate end to the victimisation of three student activists by the University of Ibadan management.

CAPPA said the three students, Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin and Nice Linus, have faced protracted disciplinary action for displaying placards bearing the inscriptions “No To Fee Hike” and “FeesMustFall” during a student event in 2024.

A statement by Robert Egbe, CAPPA’s media and communication officer, said the civil society’s call for an end to the victimisation followed Monday’s legal proceedings at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, where the court struck out an application filed by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, to restrain the students’ resumption.

CAPPA welcomed the court’s decision and urged UI management to end the matter by respecting students’ fundamental rights and complying with the Federal High Court’s judgment.

“Peaceful expression and protest are legitimate components of democratic participation, particularly within institutions of higher learning, where students should be encouraged to engage critically with policies that affect their education and welfare,” Mr Egbe said.

The group’s spokesman recounted that the students’ ordeal began on May 13, 2024, when they briefly and peacefully displayed placards bearing the messages “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall” during the inauguration of the Students’ Union leadership to decry the university’s tuition fee surge.

Mr Egbe said, “They were forcibly removed from the venue by university authorities, physically assaulted and profiled as cultists.

“They subsequently faced prolonged campaigns of intimidation and harassment, culminating in disciplinary proceedings that resulted in Aduwo and Gbadegesin being rusticated for four semesters.” 

Mr Egbe explained that Ms Adaoma, who was not formally suspended, faced continued victimisation, including being prevented from resuming her role as a legislator in the UI Student Representative Council (UI SRC), despite having secured a majority mandate in the election.

The organisation said the latest legal development should give the university an opportunity to de-escalate the dispute and restore a culture of dialogue, accountability and respect for students’ rights.

Mr Egbe urged the university management to desist from further actions that could be perceived as retaliatory and to allow the students to complete their studies without intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

The organisation equally called on management of Nigerian universities across the country to review their disciplinary procedures to ensure that students’ constitutional rights are protected and that peaceful protest or criticism of institutional policies is not treated as an offence.

“The court has spoken on the immediate issue. The responsible next step is for the University of Ibadan to practise what it preaches and lead by example by obeying the judgment and upholding the rule of law,” CAPPA’s assistant executive director, Zikora Ibeh, said.

The Peoples Gazette reported that the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, presided over by Justice Nkeonye Maha, struck out the UI vice-chancellor’s application on the basis that no reliefs had been granted earlier in the case that could be stayed.