Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday led a protest to 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.

The demonstration followed allegations of political victimisation and abuse of office by NYSC officials, sparking outrage among human rights advocates and legal practitioners.

Addressing the crowd, Sowore insisted that Ms Uguamaye had duly completed her national service and deserved her discharge certificate without delay. He accused the NYSC of being used as a tool for political retribution and called for greater accountability within the institution.

During the protest, lawyers from Inibehe Effiong Chambers submitted a formal petition to the NYSC Director-General, detailing the alleged victimisation of Ms Uguamaye, who served under 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, allegedly in retaliation for her criticism of the Tinubu-led administration’s policies.

“Our client duly presented herself for the said April 2025 biometric monthly clearance on the 7th day of April, 2025. However, her local government inspector, Ms Veronica Abela, in an act of deliberate and targeted victimisation, refused to screen her,” the petition read.

The lawyers claimed Ms Uguamaye’s file was seized without cause, and that she was denied a fair hearing before her service year was extended, in violation of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. They also alleged that the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator threatened her with service extension after she criticised government policies.

“The NYSC is established by statute as a neutral, non-partisan institution, not as an apparatus for political retribution,” the letter stated.

Inibehe Effiong, Principal Counsel at the chambers, warned that failure to address the matter would result in formal appeals to the Presidency and legal action.

The NYSC Director-General was unavailable to receive the protesters, as he was reportedly away on official assignment.