Human rights activists, Omoyele Sowore and Inibehe Effiong have petitioned the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over what they described as “unlawful extension” of the service year of Ms. Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a corps member with state code number LA/24B/8325.
The activists who submitted a formal petition to the NYSC Director-General in Abuja on Tuesday, demanded the immediate reversal of the two-month service extension and issuance of Ms. Uguamaye’s discharge certificate.
According to the petition signed by Effiong, the extension was imposed after a Local Government Inspector (LGI) in Lagos State allegedly refused to process Uguamaye’s biometric clearance in April 2025, despite presenting herself on the scheduled date.
The lawyers claimed that the action was a retaliatory move linked to the corps member’s criticism of policies under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The petition alleged that the LGI, Ms. Veronica Abela, deliberately delayed Uguamaye for six hours before refusing to screen her and seizing her file, while days later, the corps member was queried for missing the clearance, and her initial written explanation was allegedly “misplaced” by the LGI before she was asked to rewrite it, this time, omitting the fact that she attended on the correct date.
“This is a clear case of abuse of office, denial of fair hearing, and violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression,” the petition stated.
The petitioners warned that if the NYSC fails to act, they will escalate the matter to the Presidency and, if necessary, seek legal redress to enforce Uguamaye’s rights and claim damages.
The petition was also copied to the National Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian Bar Association.
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