The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to take the University of Ibadan to court if it expels three students who joined the protest against the recent hike in school fees on May 13, 2024.
The university management issued a memo on June 21, 2024, directing the three students to appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee to face allegations of insubordination and unruly conduct.
The students facing disciplinary action are Olamide Gbadegeshin, Aduwo Ayodele (a 200-level student in the History Department), and Nice Linus.
Reacting to the university’s action, SERAP accused UI management of silencing dissent voices on the campus.
In a paragraph tweet on its X handle, SERAP threatened to sue the university if he expels the students.
“The University of Ibadan must end the misuse of its authority to silence dissent on campus and drop its unlawful plan to expel three students for reportedly protesting against huge increase in fees. We’ll see in court if the University fails to do this within 48 hours”, the organisation threatened.
However, Mrs. Adejoke Akinpelu, the Director of Publicity of the university, cautioned SERAP to stop ‘sensationilising issues’, saying the panel was yet to make its recommendations known.
She said: “We have process in UI, when students face Student Disciplinary Committee, the decision will be communicated to them, and they have right of appeal. The students will not be expelled immediately the decision is taken.”
Meanwhile, another organisation, Global Rights Nigeria, also warned the university on the reported plan to expel the students.
Damilola Decker, the spokesperson for the group, in a statement said: “The university should understand why students will feel the need to protest a significant increase in tuition fees.”
