Embattled National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ms. Ushie Rita Uguamaye—popularly known as Raye—has formally petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to reverse what she describes as an “unlawful and politically motivated” extension of her service year.
Through her legal counsel, renowned human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, Ms. Uguamaye submitted a detailed appeal titled “Appeal Against the Unlawful Extension of the Service Year of Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye with State Code Number LA/24B/8325”. The petition was also copied to the NYSC Director-General, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and other key stakeholders.
According to the petition, Ms. Uguamaye was falsely accused of failing to attend the biometric clearance on April 7, 2025. Her counsel asserts that she was present but was deliberately denied clearance by her Local Government Inspector (LGI), Ms. Veronica Abela, in retaliation for her public criticism of certain government policies.
“This allegation is false, malicious, and a clear act of victimization,” the petition states. “Our Client duly presented herself for the biometric clearance, but was refused screening in an act of targeted retaliation for exercising her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression.”
The petition further alleges that Ms. Uguamaye was pressured to alter her written response to the Corps Disciplinary Committee, and that her service year was extended by two months without due process. Despite an earlier petition to the NYSC Director-General on August 11, 2025, no response has been received.
Prominent voices including activist-lawyer Femi Falana, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Amnesty International Nigeria have condemned the NYSC’s actions, calling them unconstitutional and a threat to democratic values.
Effiong emphasized that the escalation to the Presidency was made pursuant to Section 20 of the NYSC Act, which allows aggrieved corps members to appeal directly to the President before seeking judicial intervention.