JUST IN: Sowore Storms NYSC Headquarters Over Withheld Certificate for Embattled Corper Raye

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday led a team of supporters to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja to demand the immediate release of the discharge certificate of corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.”

The former presidential candidate, who was joined by human rights lawyer and Raye’s legal counsel, Inibehe Effiong, said the visit was to challenge what he described as an unfair withholding of her certificate despite completing her service year.

“We are here because this injustice must not be allowed to stand,” Sowore told journalists outside the NYSC headquarters. “She has done her part, and it is only right that the NYSC does theirs.”

MCC News reports that Raye’s ordeal began in April when she was allegedly barred from completing her mandatory biometric clearance at her Local Government Inspector’s office. 

She claimed the officer in charge, identified only as Veronica, turned her away despite presenting all required documents, including a clearance letter from her primary place of assignment.

“I was shocked,” Raye recounted in an earlier interview. “I had all the documents I had always submitted every month, yet I was told to leave. Later, when the NYSC panel called me, they didn’t even give me a chance to explain.”

The NYSC, however, maintains that her certificate was withheld for legitimate reasons. In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency said Raye is among 131 corps members whose service years were extended due to disciplinary issues. 

It specifically cited her absence from the April 2025 biometric exercise, stressing that the decision had nothing to do with any criticism she may have made about President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“This extension is standard procedure in line with the NYSC Bye-Laws,” the statement read. “Raye’s case is not unique. Equal treatment was applied to all corps members involved.”

Despite NYSC’s stance, Sowore insists the process was unjust, arguing that Raye was denied a fair opportunity to fulfil the requirement. Effiong also vowed to pursue legal action if the matter is not resolved promptly.