By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has threatened legal action against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), over the alleged persecution of corps member Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye.
Raye, who gained public attention in March for criticizing the administration’s economic policies, alleged last week that the NYSC withheld her discharge certificate in retaliation.
The NYSC insists her two-month service extension was due to missing an April biometric clearance; a claim Effiong disputes.
Appearing on Channels Television, Effiong alleged that NYSC officials in Eti-Osa Local Government Area refused to clear Raye despite her presence.
He said he will petition the NYSC Director-General and, if unsatisfied, escalate to the President before heading to court.
Effiong described the case as a deliberate attempt to silence dissent, calling NYSC’s actions “an embarrassment and an aberration.”
He also faulted the scheme for failing to communicate the extension’s reason until the last moment, suggesting bad faith.
