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 a discharge certificate for corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.”
Sowore, accompanied by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong — who is also Raye’s legal counsel — arrived at the Maitama office around 9 a.m., insisting that the corps member had fulfilled all requirements to conclude her service year.
He vowed that the alleged injustice would not go unchallenged.
The activist had announced the demonstration in a post on his X handle on Monday, stating: “By 9 a.m. tomorrow, we will resume at the Maitama Abuja HQ of the National Youth Service Corps to receive the discharge certificate of corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye ‘Raye’, who has successfully concluded her compulsory service.”
Raye had earlier accused the NYSC of withholding her certificate in retaliation for her public criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
However, the NYSC has denied any political motive, stating the certificate was withheld because she failed to attend the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance.
The management, in a statement on Sunday, said Rita’s service year was extended by two months in line with NYSC bye-laws, adding that she is one of 131 corps members facing similar sanctions.
“This extension is a standard procedure and not unique to her case,” the NYSC said. “The principle of equal treatment was only applied here.”