Nice Linus, a 300-level student of the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, has pressed the litigation option after being allegedly disqualified by the Deputy Registrar (Students), Mr. T.I. Musa.
The Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, gave its blessings to an ex-parte application for the suspension of the disqualification slammed on Nice Linus as a member and majority leader of the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan, until the completion of the court hearing on the matter.
The case, with suit number FHC/IB/CS/23/2025, came up for hearing on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, in a court presided over by Justice U.N. Agomoh, who granted the ex-parte application.
A copy of the court order, as seen by our correspondent, granted leave to apply for the five reliefs sought by the applicant, Nice Linus.
The order further clarifies that the leave granted by the court would be an injunction, putting the University of Ibadan’s decision, as contained in the internal memorandum released on March 4 on hold pending the determination of the motion on notice to be filed.
Consequently, Nice Linus is temporarily reinstated by the court order until the court case filed is determined.
Following the grant of the ex-parte application, a motion on notice was filed on Wednesday, 26th March 2025, to commence the hearing on the issue of Nice Linus’ disqualification. The same was served on the respondents on March 26.
A copy of the motion highlighted the University of Ibadan, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, and Mr. T. I. Musa, the Deputy Registrar (Students), as the case respondents.
The hearing of the case, “Nice Linus Adaoma vs. University of Ibadan & Ors.” is set to commence on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Judicial Division.
Background of the Disqualification
Nice Linus, a 300-level Law student at the University of Ibadan, was disqualified from serving in the recently constituted Students’ Representative Council.
Her disqualification was officially communicated to the then Speaker of the 11th Assembly, Opegbemi Busoye Matthias, through an internal memorandum signed by Mr. T.I. Musa, the Deputy Registrar (Students) and Chairman of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Electoral Commission.
The memo, dated 4th March 2025, was also copied to the Hall Warden of Obafemi Awolowo Hall and the hall chairperson.
The Deputy Registrar described Linus’ election as an “oversight,” stating that university regulations — previously and still unknown to the University of Ibadan Students’ Union — prohibit students with pending disciplinary cases from contesting or holding elected positions until their cases are resolved.
“This appears to have been an oversight, as the University regulations clearly state that students with pending disciplinary cases are not eligible to contest or hold any elected positions until their cases are resolved,” the Deputy Registrar’s internal memorandum read.
