“This Court case should once again uphold students’ right to live, breathe and dissent”, – Nice Linus, embattled former Awo Majority Leader-Elect on her legal action against UI Management

In a conversation with the UIMSA Press, Nice Linus, a third-year Law student of the University of Ibadan has expressed her optimism towards the outcome of her case against the University Management concerning her disqualification as Obafemi Awolowo Hall Majority Leader at the Students’ Representative Council. 

This follows a decision by the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday, 19th March, 2025, made available to the Press, yesterday, granting an ex-parte application to suspend her disqualification, pending the Court’s hearing of the matter. The motion of notice to that effect was filed on Wednesday, 26th March 2025. 

Per the notice and as explained in an IndyPress report, the hearing of the case, “Nice Linus Adaoma vs University of Ibadan &Ors”, is to begin on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Ibadan Judicial Division of the Court. 

Miss Linus has also written a letter to the UI SRC demanding her rightful reinstatement by 12 PM on Saturday, 29th March 2025. 

Speaking with the Press regarding the issue, she said, “The Students’ Union should be an extension of the will and voice of the student community. Especially the Students’ Representative Council, because, according to our Constitution, that is the most representative arm of the Union and the second arm on the ladder of power, with the Congress being the most powerful. Tampering with the process that brings in the leadership of the SU sets the SU on a path of doom”. 

She added, “As an individual, there really wasn’t much motivation to go to Court. I could as well have ‘left it for God to judge’, as we are often advised to do. However, there was something I was consciously aware of. That’s the fact that, on the day of the election, I was entrusted with Awo’s mandate. As one person, my disqualification may not matter. But as one chosen to be the voice of students, justice for me matters in every way. Because justice for me is justice for the students’ community”. 

Nice, known for her vocal opposition to the recent school fees hike and her active role in student politics, was elected into the 12th Assembly of the UI SRC. However, on March 4th, 2025, the Deputy Registrar (Students), Mr. T.I. Musa, issued an internal memorandum declaring her election an “oversight” and disqualifying her from holding office. The memorandum cited a university regulation prohibiting students with pending disciplinary cases from contesting or occupying elected positions, a decision linked to her activism against the fee increment introduced in the last academic session.

This decision to overturn her place in the assembly was followed by her prevention from taking the oath of office at the inauguration of elected members on the 7th of March, 2025. She was forcefully walked out of the ceremony coupled with manhandling by the Campus Security Unit, Abefele. Campus journalists and concerned students who intervened were not spared from the assault. 

On the 25th of March, 2025, the SRC convened a meeting with the Dean of Students, Professor Fakeye Abiona, to address her disqualification and the University’s Chief Security Officer, to address the broader issue of student harassment by the university’s security outfit. The statement following this meeting confirmed that per new Senate regulations, the SU Constitution no longer permits students with pending SDC cases to hold student-occupied offices.

These actions have been condemned by mainstream journalism outlets like the African Foundation for Young Media Professionals and human rights advocacy organisations like Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). 

The university management has yet to comment officially on the court order as of press time. The outcome of this case potentially sets a precedent for student rights in tertiary institutions across the country, a sentiment Nice believes.

“With the hearing set for April 2, I am more than persuaded that going to Court was a good step to take. Given the constant interference of the Management with matters of the Union, escalating from matters considered ‘minute’ to significant perpetration of injustice, it is necessary to address it legally. At the end of this process, my biggest hope and achievement would have been pulling down the veil covering students’ eyes of consciousness, forcing them to succumb to injustice. Just like the #feesmustfall protests, for which I am still being victimized, this Court case should once again uphold students’ right to live, breathe and dissent”, she also said.