Corper Raye Petitions President Tinubu Over ‘Unlawful’ NYSC Service Year Extension
Corper Raye Petitions President Tinubu Over ‘Unlawful’ NYSC Service Year Extension
UmarFarouk123 
Rita Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member popularly known as Corper Raye, has formally petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for an immediate reversal of what she describes as an “unlawful and politically motivated” extension of her service year.
In a petition submitted through her legal counsel, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, Uguamaye accused NYSC officials of abuse of power and victimisation.
According to the petition, the corps member’s service year was extended by two months over allegations that she failed to report for biometric clearance in April 2025—a claim she strongly denies.
The petition, titled “Appeal Against the Unlawful Extension of the Service Year of Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye with State Code Number LA/24B/8325,” states that:
“Our Client duly presented herself for biometric clearance on April 7, 2025, but was deliberately denied screening by the Local Government Inspector, Ms. Veronica Abela. This act of targeted harassment followed our Client’s public criticism of certain policies implemented by the Tinubu administration.”
The document further alleges that shortly after Uguamaye voiced her criticisms, the Lagos State Coordinator of the NYSC issued a threat to extend her service year, which was later carried out.
Despite submitting a detailed petition on August 11, 2025, to the NYSC Director-General, requesting a review and reversal of the extension, Uguamaye has reportedly received no response.
Effiong argued that the NYSC’s actions violate his client’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression and fair hearing. He warned that allowing this case to go unchallenged could set a “dangerous precedent for democracy.”
He called on President Tinubu to intervene, stressing that the silence of the NYSC leadership could be seen as tacit approval of political retaliation within the scheme.
Effiong also hinted that legal action may be pursued if the corps member does not receive justice.
