By IndyPress News Desk

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Ibadan Judicial Division, on Monday struck out an application seeking a stay of execution of the court’s April 15, 2026 judgment in the suit between Aduwo Ayodele & Ors. and the University of Ibadan and its Vice-Chancellor, Kayode Adebowale.

This was disclosed in a press statement jointly signed by Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus and Mide Gbadegesin on Monday, September 14, 2026.

According to the statement, Justice Maha struck out the application after the applicants’ counsel withdrew it, with the court observing that there was effectively no longer any order to stay, as the respondents had already resumed classes and the substantive matter was pending before the Court of Appeal

Recall that on April 15, 2026, the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan ordered the reinstatement of suspended University of Ibadan students.

Also read: BREAKING: Federal High Court Ibadan Orders Immediate Reinstatement of UI 3

The trio disclosed that, according to an affidavit dated July 9, 2026, deposed to by Toluwalase Omosola, a staff member of the University of Ibadan, the Vice-Chancellor, dissatisfied with the Federal High Court’s April 15 judgment, filed an appeal challenging the decision before the Court of Appeal.

In Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, the University of Ibadan management subsequently sought an injunction pending the determination of the appeal.

After considering the submissions and processes filed before it, the court indicated that the applicants should pursue the matter before the Court of Appeal rather than seek a stay from the lower court.

The application was subsequently withdrawn by the applicants’ counsel, E.O. Fatola, following the court’s indication, after which Justice Maha struck it out and cautioned counsel to be more careful with the processes filed before the court.

“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,” Barrister Olumide, who represented the students on behalf of their counsel, Barrister Joseph Opute, said.

“Upon considering the circumstances, the Court indicated to Counsel for the Applicants that the application ought to be withdrawn, observing that there was effectively nothing left to stay, particularly as the Respondents were already attending classes, the substantive matter was already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.”

“Following the Court’s indication, Counsel for the Applicants withdrew the application. I did not make any further submission following the withdrawal. The Court thereafter struck out the application and cautioned Counsel for the Applicants to be more careful with the processes filed before the Court,” he added.

Speaking, Aduwo Ayodele, a 400-level History student, welcomed the court’s decision.

“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. The victory obtained on April 15th remains a victory for all students in the country and a defence 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.”

Mide Gbadegesin, an African Studies student, also said the decision had reaffirmed his confidence in their case.

“We remained convinced of the justice of our cause, and today that conviction has once again been vindicated. I am deeply grateful to our counsel, everyone who supported us, and the court for delivering justice with courage,” he said.

FLASHBACK

In April 2026, the court ordered the immediate reinstatement of Aduwo Ayodele and Mide Gbadegesin, who had been rusticated by the university on July 14, 2025.

Before their rustication, Ayodele, Gbadegesin and Nice Linus held a symbolic protest during the inauguration of Students’ Union representatives, carrying cardboard placards bearing the inscription #FEESMUSTFALL.

Following the protest on May 13, 2024, the students were reportedly assaulted by university security officers, handed over to personnel of the Ibadan division of Operation Burst and subjected to a year-long disciplinary panel process. Two of the students were subsequently rusticated before the matter escalated to the court.