Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have condemned the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for withholding the Discharge Certificate of Ushie Uguamayei, a Lagos corps member popularly known as Raye.
The NYSC’s decision is allegedly in response to her criticism of the current administration’s economic policies.
Falana described the NYSC’s action as “overzealousness” and emphasised that the seizure of the certificate was illegal since it wasn’t authorised by any competent court.
He drew parallels to a similar incident in 1988 when the NYSC confiscated the Discharge Certificate of human rights activist Bamidele Aturu for rejecting the Best Corps Member Award.
Falana stressed that under Nigeria’s democratic government, Rita Uguamayei’s fundamental right to criticise the government was guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution.
Atiku Abubakar also weighed in on the issue, labeling the NYSC’s action as “impunity”.
He questioned whether Rita’s certificate was being withheld because she criticised the economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku emphasised that Rita had served her country without queries and deserved to receive her certificate without delay.
Raye gained public attention after posting a viral TikTok video criticising the current administration’s handling of the economy.
She expressed frustration over rising inflation and economic hardship in Nigeria.
The NYSC, however, claimed that her certificate was withheld due to disciplinary reasons related to missed biometric clearance in April 2025, and her service year was lawfully extended by two months.
Both Falana and Atiku have demanded that the NYSC release Rita Uguamayei’s Discharge Certificate without further delay.
Falana cited President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, where he cautioned public officers against suppressing dissent and emphasized that no one should suffer injustice for criticizing the government.
