By: IndyPress News Desk
Amnesty International Nigeria has addressed a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, calling for the reversal of the suspension of two students of the University, Aduwo Ayodele, a 400-level History student, and Mide Gbadegesin, a 700-level student at the Institute of African Studies.
Amnesty stated that its letter comes after a petition from the victimized students, describing the suspension as an infringement on their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as enshrined in Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
Recall that Ayodele Aduwo and Mide Gbadegesin were handed a four-semester suspension for participating in an anti-fee hike protest on May 13, 2024, during the inauguration of the Students’ Union Executive Committee and the Students’ Representative Council of the University of Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the verdict on Nice Linus, one of the anti-fee hike protesters, had not been addressed at the time of filing this report.
Amnesty International Nigeria, in its letter to the Vice-Chancellor, reiterated the call for the reversal of the four-semester suspension imposed on Aduwo Ayodele and Mide Gbadegesin.
The group asserted that holding a placard with the inscription “fees must fall” was an exercise of the students’ right to freedom of expression.
Amnesty also demanded that the University of Ibadan desists from what it described as the victimization of the three students.
The human rights organization further urged the University, under Professor Kayode Adebowale, to allow the affected students to continue their academic pursuits, while emphasizing the need to uphold justice, accountability, and respect for human rights.
“In view of the above, Amnesty International demands the following from the University of Ibadan: To reverse the four-semester suspension imposed on Ayodele Aduwo, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin, and to restore their student status to enable them return to their academic activities,” Amnesty wrote.
“Desist from victimizing the three students, as it limits their rights to freely pursue education and coexist within the student community. Allow the students to continue and complete their academic programs, as their suspension constitutes a violation of their rights to educational development, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly. Ensure that justice, accountability, and respect for human rights are consistently upheld,” the letter added.
