The Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, has struck out an application by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Kayode Adebowale, seeking an injunction pending the determination of an appeal against an earlier judgment reinstating three students.

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha struck out the application on Monday after the applicants’ counsel, E.O. Fatola, withdrew it.

The judge said there was effectively no order left to stay, noting the affected students had already resumed classes and the substantive matter was pending before the Court of Appeal.

The case, filed as SUIT NO: FHC/IB/CS/87/2025, followed an April 15 judgment in a suit brought by students Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus and Mide Gbadegesin against the university and its vice-chancellor.

According to the students’ lawyer, Mr Olumide, who represented them on behalf of Joseph Opute, the court advised the applicants to pursue the matter before the Court of Appeal rather than seek a stay from the Federal High Court.

“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 to the Peoples Gazette, the students welcomed the court’s decision. 

Aduwo Ayodele, a 400L student of history, said, “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,” he told The Gazette. 

Mr Aduwo stated that the victory obtained on April 15th remained a victory for all students in the country and a defence of 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.

“We remained convinced of the justice of our cause, and today that conviction has once again been vindicated,” he added.

“I am deeply grateful to our counsel, everyone who supported us, and the court for delivering justice with courage,” Mr Gbadegesin, a student of African studies, said.

The Gazette had previously reported that Justice Maha ruled on the reinstatement of the two students, Mr Aduwo and Mr Gbadegesin, who were suspended by the university for four semesters for protesting against a hike in school fees.