Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has arrived at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja to demand the discharge certificate of female corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye”.
Sowore on Tuesday morning was accompanied to the headquarters by some activists, including human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who also serves as Raye’s legal representative.
In a statement shared on his X handle yesterday, Sowore stated that the move was to ensure she receives her discharge certificate.
“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 shared on Monday.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Raye narrated her experience, which led to her being unable to complete her clearance in April.
Speaking on an X Space organised by human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, she accused the LGI officer, identified as Veronica, of denying her the right to carry out her biometric exercise.
“I was at the LGI centre in April to carry out my biometric exercise and the LGI official on duty refused to allow me do that despite the fact that I submitted documents I usually submitted in previous months for the clearance.
“Despite the fact that I told the officer that what I submitted is what is usually needed, including a clearance letter from my place of primary assignment, she did not listen. Instead, she told me to get back out of her office, and that was what happened.”
She noted that she was later invited by the NYSC over claims that she did not carry out her biometric for April 2025 but said she was not given a fair hearing.
“When the jury called me, they did not even listen to me, they did not want to hear what I had to say,” she said during the Space.
She expressed disappointment that proper checks were not done before the NYSC issued a statement accusing her of missing her biometric exercise.
Earlier reported that the NYSC stated that the Certificate of National Service (CNS) of the corps member, also known as Raye, was withheld due to her failure to attend the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance—not because of any critical remarks she made about President Bola Tinubu’s government.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NYSC management described as “entirely unfounded and false” the claims circulating on social media that the certificate was withheld due to her criticism of the government.
The NYSC stated that Rita is among 131 corps members whose certificates were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons.
According to the NYSC, her service year has specifically been extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance — a decision it says aligns with the NYSC Bye-Laws.
“Rita is among the 131 Corps Members whose Certificates of National Service (CNS) 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.”
Sowore has, however, vowed to ensure justice for Raye, stating that the injustice meted to her would not be allowed to stand.