Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore led a demonstration Tuesday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja, calling for the urgent release of Ms. Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s (Raye) discharge certificate.
Human rights activists and legal professionals were outraged by the demonstration after claims of political victimisation and official mistreatment by NYSC member, Raye.
Speaking before the audience, Sowore maintained that the corps member had completed her national service and should have received her discharge certificate right away.
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The former presidential contender demanded responsibility from the NYSC, accusing it of being a vehicle for political retaliation.
A formal protest letter documenting the alleged victimisation of Ms. Ugumaye, who served with State Code Number LA/24B/8325, was submitted to the NYSC Director-General by attorneys from Inibehe Effiong Chambers during the demonstration.
The letter, dated August 11, 2025, claimed that Ms. Veronica Abela, a local government inspector, had purposefully refused to process Ms. Ugumaye’s biometric clearance in April 2025 because she had criticised the policies of the Tinubu-led administration.
“Our client duly presented herself for the said April 2025 biometric monthly clearance on the 7th day of April, 2025. However, her local government inspector, Ms Veronica Abela, in an act of deliberate and targeted victimisation, refused to screen her,” the letter stated.
The lawyers claimed that Ms. Ugumaye was not given a fair hearing prior to her service year being prolonged, and that her file was taken without justification.
“This extension of our client’s service year amounts to denial of her right to a fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” the letter read.
The petition also highlighted purported threats made by the Lagos State Coordinator of the NYSC, who reportedly threatened Ms Ugumaye that she would face an extension of her service year after she opposed government policies.
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Principal Counsel At Inibehe Effiong Chambers, Inibehe Effiong, issued a warning that if the issue was not resolved, more action will be taken.
“Take notice that failure to comply with our demands will leave our client with no option but to immediately lodge a formal appeal with the Presidency and seek redress in court,” the letter added.
The NYSC DG was, unfortunately, unavailable to receive the protesters, as he was reportedly away on an assignment.
