he Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has struck out an application seeking an injunction to stay the execution of a judgement that ordered the reinstatement of students of University of Ibadan rusticated over a protest against fee hikes.
The application filed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kayode Adebowale, was struck out on Monday Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha, ruling that there was no longer any effective order to stay, as the affected students had already resumed classes and the substantive matter was pending before the Court of Appeal.
The court, however, directed the applicants to pursue the matter before the Court of Appeal rather than seek a stay of execution from the lower court.
The application was subsequently withdrawn by the university’s counsel, E.O. Fatola, following the court’s indication.
Barrister Olumide, who represented the students on behalf of their counsel, Joseph Opute, said the students had filed a Counter-Affidavit and Written Address opposing the application.
“At today’s proceedings, Counsel for the Applicants, E. O. Fatola, Esq., drew the attention of the Court to the pending Motion. I also informed the Court that we had filed a Counter-Affidavit and Written Address in opposition to the application, and a copy of the Counter-Affidavit was made available to the Court,” Olumide said.
He said the court subsequently indicated that there was no basis for continuing with the application because the students had already returned to their classes.
“Upon considering the circumstances, the Court indicated to Counsel for the Applicants that the application ought to be withdrawn, observing that there was effectively nothing left to stay, particularly as the Respondents were already attending classes, the substantive matter was already before the Court of Appeal, and they should go to the Court of Appeal,” he said.
Olumide added that the university’s counsel withdrew the application following the court’s position.
“Following the Court’s indication, Counsel for the Applicants withdrew the application. I did not make any further submission following the withdrawal,” he said.
“The court thereafter struck out the application and cautioned Counsel for the Applicants to be more careful with the processes filed before the Court.”
Reacting to the ruling, Aduwo Ayodele, a 400-level History student, described the development as a victory for students and the right to freedom of expression.
“We welcome the decision of the court to dismiss the Vice-Chancellor’s application for injunction. The court must continue to be a place where injustice in any form should not be condoned,” Ayodele said.
He said the judgement delivered in April remained significant beyond the students involved in the case.
The statement partly read: “The victory obtained on April 15th remains a victory for all students in the country and a defense for our fundamental rights to expression.
“We remain undaunted. Like it is said, the arc of justice may be long, but it will always bend towards justice.”
Another affected student, Mide Gbadegesin, who studies African Studies, said the ruling had reinforced the students’ confidence in their case.
“We remained convinced of the justice of our cause, and today that conviction has once again been vindicated,” Gbadegesin said.
“I am deeply grateful to our counsel, everyone who supported us, and the court for delivering justice with courage.”
In April 2026, the Federal High Court ordered the immediate reinstatement of Ayodele and Gbadegesin, who had been rusticated by the University of Ibadan on July 14, 2025, over their involvement in a protest against an increase in tuition fees.
The students had earlier staged a symbolic protest on May 13, 2024, during the inauguration of Students’ Union representatives.
The protest involved the trio—Nice Linus, Mide Gbadegesin and Aduwo Ayodele—holding cardboard placards bearing the inscription “#FEESMUSTFALL.”
The students alleged that they were subsequently assaulted by university security personnel, handed over to personnel of Operation Burst in Ibadan and subjected to a disciplinary panel that lasted about a year.
Following the disciplinary proceedings, Ayodele and Gbadegesin were rusticated by the university, prompting the legal battle that eventually resulted in the April 15 judgment.
The latest ruling means the Vice-Chancellor’s application for an injunction at the Federal High Court has been struck out, while the substantive appeal remains before the Court of Appeal.
The students said they would continue to pursue the case through the judicial process.
