The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has suspended a final-year student, Kabiru Toheeb Omotoyosi, over an alleged defamatory publication against the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Mr. Oluwaseun Adeyemi Ogunmakinju (popularly known as Enzaim), and a fellow student, Filomenal Patience Michael.
Kabiru, a 500-level student in the Faculty of Agricultural Production and Renewable Resources, received a two-semester suspension, according to a university memo dated April 10, 2025, signed by the Registrar on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.
The suspension has sparked outrage among students and rights groups, with some labeling the action as politically driven and excessively punitive.
Sources revealed Kabiru had contested the SUG presidential election but was disqualified over a technical issue involving his campaign banner, which allegedly lacked the signature of the electoral chairman. Although Kabiru claimed it was an oversight and attempted to appeal, his concerns were dismissed.
In the aftermath, Kabiru made critical statements accusing unnamed individuals of orchestrating his disqualification—comments the university deemed defamatory. Although he complied with university directives to publicly apologize and retract the statements, disciplinary action was still pursued.
“This punishment is excessive, especially for a student so close to completing his degree,” said a student activist who criticized the university’s decision.
The suspension includes mandatory counseling and submission of a formal retraction through the Dean of Student Affairs to the Vice Chancellor. Kabiru is expected to return in the Rain Semester of the 2025/2026 academic session.
The incident has drawn the attention of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, a student-led human rights group, which issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Kabiru’s reinstatement. In a statement signed by its national president, Comrade Oguntola Sunday A., the group called the action “illegal” and accused the university of intimidation and partiality.
“Why did the complainant choose to report to the school rather than pursue legal channels?” the group questioned. “Would the management have responded the same way if the complainant were not the SUG president?”
TIB warned that failure to reinstate Kabiru could result in legal action against the university, urging authorities to uphold student rights and protect freedom of expression on campus.
As calls for Kabiru’s reinstatement grow, the university is under pressure to revisit its disciplinary processes and ensure fairness for all students.
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