Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday led a protest at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of the discharge certificate of Ms. Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a corps member whose service year was allegedly extended unjustly.
Sowore, addressing the protesters, accused the NYSC of political victimisation and abuse of office, claiming that Ms. Uguamaye had completed her national service and was entitled to her certificate without delay. He alleged that the scheme was being used as a tool for political retribution and called for accountability within the institution.
During the demonstration, lawyers from Inibehe Effiong Chambers submitted a formal protest letter to the NYSC Director-General, outlining the alleged harassment of Ms. Uguamaye, who served with State Code Number LA/24B/8325.
The letter, dated August 11, 2025, accused a local government inspector, Ms. Veronica Abela, of deliberately refusing to process Ms. Uguamaye’s biometric clearance in April 2025 in retaliation for her criticism of the Tinubu administration’s policies. According to the petition, her service file was seized without justification, and she was denied a fair hearing before her service year was extended.
“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 stated.
The petition further alleged that the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator threatened Ms. Uguamaye with an extension of service after her public criticism of government policies, insisting that the NYSC is meant to be a neutral, non-partisan institution, not an apparatus for political retaliation.
Principal Counsel, Inibehe Effiong, warned that failure to meet their demands would prompt an appeal to the Presidency and legal action. “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,” he stated.
The NYSC Director-General was unavailable to receive the protesters as he was reportedly away on official assignment.