A Lagos-based law firm, Inibehe Effiong Chambers, has petitioned the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over what it describes as the “arbitrary and punitive” extension of a corps member’s service year by two months. The petition, dated August 11, 2025, alleges that Ms. Ushie Rita Uguamaye, with State Code Number LA/24B/8325, was unfairly penalized on false grounds that she failed to present herself for biometric monthly clearance in April 2025.
According to the letter, Ms. Uguamaye had duly presented herself for the April clearance on April 7, 2025, but was allegedly denied screening by her Local Government Inspector (LGI), Ms. Veronica Abela, despite waiting for approximately six hours. The firm claims that the LGI seized her file without just cause and later issued her a query for missing the clearance. The petition states that the act was not due to any dereliction of duty by the corps member but rather a targeted retaliation for her public criticism of the Tinubu-led administration’s policies.
The legal counsel recounts that on April 11, 2025, Ms. Uguamaye returned to plead with the LGI to complete her clearance but was told the biometric exercise had ended and “nothing could be done.” Despite this, she was still instructed to submit a written explanation for missing the clearance. Matters worsened on June 24, 2025, when, just before her appearance before the Corps Disciplinary Committee, the LGI allegedly claimed her original written response had been “misplaced” and handed her a fresh sheet. She was then instructed to omit any reference to attending the April 7 clearance and instead state she came on April 11 and missed it entirely—a move the firm describes as an attempt to distort the facts.
The petition accuses the LGI’s actions of constituting abuse of office, violation of Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression, and denial of fair hearing under Section 36 of the same Constitution. It argues that the NYSC, as a statutory institution, should not be used as an apparatus for political retribution or suppression of dissenting voices, warning that such actions undermine public confidence in the Corps and set a dangerous precedent for victimization.
In its demands, the law firm is seeking the immediate reversal of the two-month service extension imposed on Ms. Uguamaye and the prompt issuance of her NYSC discharge certificate. The petition warns that failure to comply will lead to a formal appeal to the Presidency and possibly legal action to challenge the decision, enforce her rights, and claim damages against NYSC and all culpable officers.
The petition was also copied to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Principal Counsel, Inibehe Effiong, expressed confidence that the NYSC, as an institution built on discipline, fairness, and integrity, would act swiftly to correct what he called a “grave injustice” against his client.
This development comes amid growing public discourse on the alleged misuse of administrative processes within the NYSC to target corps members who express dissent, raising fresh concerns about political influence in the country’s compulsory national service program.
