Sowore leads protest at NYSC HQ over Raye’s withheld certificate

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and former presidential candidate, has arrived at the National Youth Service Corps headquarters in Abuja to demand the discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as "Raye," a female corps member.

Sowore arrived at the headquarters on Tuesday morning accompanied by a number of activists, including human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who also acts as Raye's attorney.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, Sowore said the action was taken to guarantee Raye's discharge certificate and that the injustice she had suffered would not be tolerated.

“By 9am tomorrow, we will resume at the Maitama Abuja HQ of the National Youth Service Corps @officialnyscng to receive the Discharge Certificate of Corp Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye “Raye”, who has successfully concluded her compulsory service,” he wrote.

Recall that Raye had accused NYSC of withholding her discharge certificate after criticising Bola Tinubu government.

However, the NYSC stated that her certificate was withheld due to her failure to attend the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance and not because of any critical remarks she made about the federal government.

Rita's service year has been extended by two months for not attending the April 2025 biometric clearance, which the NYSC says is in accordance with the NYSC Bye-Laws.

Rita is one of 131 corps members whose certificates were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons, the NYSC said in a statement released on Sunday, calling the social media claims that the certificate was withheld because she criticized the government "entirely unfounded and false."

“Rita is among the 131 Corps Members whose Certificates of National Service were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons. Specifically, Rita’s service year has been extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometrics clearance, a decision that aligns with the NYSC Bye-Laws,” it said.

“It is important to note that this extension is a standard procedure and not unique to her case, and the principle of equal treatment was only applied in this case,” it added.