By: IndyPress News Desk

Nice Linus, a 300-level Law student, has taken legal action after being unilaterally disqualified by the Deputy Registrar (Students), Mr. T.I. Musa.

The Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, granted an ex-parte application suspending the disqualification of Nice Linus as a member and majority leader of the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan, until the completion of the court hearing on the matter.

The case, with suit number FHC/IB/CS/23/2025, came up for hearing on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, and was presided over by Justice U.N. Agomoh, who granted the ex-parte application.

A copy of the court order, as seen by IndyPress, granted leave to apply for the five reliefs sought by the applicant, Nice Linus.

The order also stated that the leave granted by the court would serve as an injunction, putting the University of Ibadan’s decision, as contained in the internal memorandum released on March 4, on hold pending the determination of the motion on notice to be filed.

Consequently, Nice Linus is temporarily reinstated by the court order until the court case filed is determined.

Following the grant of the ex-parte application, a motion on notice was filed on Wednesday, 26th March 2025, to commence the hearing on the issue of Nice Linus’ disqualification. The same was served on the respondents on March 26.

A copy of the motion highlighted the University of Ibadan, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, and Mr. T. I. Musa, the Deputy Registrar (Students), as the case respondents.

The hearing of the case, “Nice Linus Adaoma vs. University of Ibadan & Ors.” is set to commence on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Judicial Division.

Background of the Disqualification

Nice Linus, a 300-level Law student at the University of Ibadan, was disqualified from serving in the recently constituted Students’ Representative Council.

Her disqualification was officially communicated to the then Speaker of the 11th Assembly, Opegbemi Busoye Matthias, through an internal memorandum signed by Mr. T.I. Musa, the Deputy Registrar (Students) and Chairman of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Electoral Commission.

The memo, dated 4th March 2025, was also copied to the Hall Warden of Obafemi Awolowo Hall and the hall chairperson.

The Deputy Registrar described Linus’ election as an “oversight,” stating that university regulations — previously and still unknown to the University of Ibadan Students’ Union — prohibit students with pending disciplinary cases from contesting or holding elected positions until their cases are resolved.

“This appears to have been an oversight, as the University regulations clearly state that students with pending disciplinary cases are not eligible to contest or hold any elected positions until their cases are resolved,” the Deputy Registrar’s internal memorandum read.

The memorandum stated that Miss Olaleye Abolaji Joy, the last runner-up in the recently held UI SRC election from the constituency, would automatically assume the position of majority leader for Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence, University of Ibadan.

Recall that three students of the University of Ibadan — Nice Linus, a 300-level Law student; Aduwo Ayodele, also in 300-level; and Olamide Gbadegesin, a 700-level student — had reportedly being facing victimization for openly opposing the tuition hike policy introduced in the 2023/24 academic session.

The Root of the Matter

On Monday, May 13, 2024, the trio staged a protest during the inauguration ceremony of the Aweda Bolaji-led Students’ Union administration, holding placards to denounce the fee hike policy.

Their demonstration was met with swift repression, as they were forcibly removed from the venue and handed over to operatives of the Nigerian army. The incident was widely reported by mainstream media, drawing significant public attention.

By July 2024, the students were summoned before a fact-finding panel of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee. However, the prosecution of their case has since been delayed, raising concerns about due process and fair treatment.

The trial of the three students has drawn condemnation from international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Global Human Rights, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Activista Nigeria, and the Education Rights Campaign.

These groups criticized the University’s handling of student activism under the leadership of Professor Kayode Adebowale, arguing that it undermines freedom of expression.

Amnesty International, in particular, called on the university to rescind its reported plans to expel the students. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) in July 2024, @AmnestyNigeria wrote:

“Amnesty International calls on the University of Ibadan @UniIbadan to rescind plans to expel three students for exercising their human rights by participating in a protest against an outrageous fee hike that — so far — forced many students to withdraw from university education.”

The organization further noted that the university’s decision to summon the students before a disciplinary committee appeared to be an attempt at intimidation, arguing that institutions should be lowering fees amid economic hardship rather than punishing those who speak out.