Lawyer to Sue NYSC Over Withheld Certificate of Corps Member Raye
Inibehe Effiong accuses NYSC of targeting corps member Raye in retaliation for her criticism of Nigeria’s economic policies.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has threatened to sue the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for allegedly withholding the discharge certificate of Lagos-based corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, better known as Raye.
Raye became a social media sensation in March after she publicly criticised the Bola Tinubu-led administration, accusing it of worsening the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
But in a viral video last week, she claimed the NYSC was punishing her for those remarks, alleging that her certificate was withheld in retaliation.
In a swift response, the NYSC denied the allegation, saying the decision had nothing to do with politics. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the scheme explained that Raye’s service year was extended by two months because she failed to attend the compulsory biometric clearance for April 2025, a violation of the corps’ bye-laws.
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However, appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Effiong countered the NYSC’s explanation. He insisted that Raye was present for the April clearance but was deliberately denied sign-off by officials in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
“I will write to the Director-General of the NYSC in the coming hours to officially state the facts. If they don’t respond favourably, Section 20 of the NYSC Act empowers us to write to the President before heading to court,” Effiong said.
The lawyer faulted the timing of the sanction, questioning why the NYSC waited until the end of Raye’s service year to raise the issue. “It is an embarrassment and an aberration. They have acted in bad faith,” he said.
Effiong further accused the scheme of attempting to silence dissenting voices. “What they are trying to achieve through Raye is to quell the voice of dissent in our country. This has nothing to do with monthly clearance,” he maintained.
According to him, Raye’s ordeal came not long after she lamented the skyrocketing cost of goods and her inability to afford basic necessities.
