Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The lawyer to a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ms. Raya Rita Ogwamayi, has accused the scheme of deliberately withholding her certificate and illegally extending her service year by two months over what he described as a “false” allegation.
In an interview on Channels Television on Monday, human rights lawyer Mr. Inibehe Effiong said his client was accused by the NYSC management of failing to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance — a claim he insisted was “completely untrue.”
The lawyer was reacting to allegations made on Sunday by the NYSC that Ogwamayi is among 131 corps members penalised for “valid disciplinary reasons.”
The NYSC, in a statement on Sunday, had cited the corps member’s non-appearance for April clearance as the reason for the two-month extension of her service as punishment.
But the lawyer, during the interview, accused the NYSC of being economical with the truth.
He alleged that the NYSC never at any time notified Ogwamayi of the extension or the reason for it until she saw the statement on Sunday, after she had complained about not being issued her certificate of service.
Effiong alleged that Ogwamayi, who is serving in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, presented herself for clearance on April 7 with the required letter from her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
He further alleged that the corps member was repeatedly sent to the back of the queue by the Local Government Inspector (LGI), Mrs. Veronica Abele, and ultimately refused clearance.
“She spent six hours pleading to be cleared. Even after returning on April 11 to beg, she was told clearance had closed. Yet NYSC is now saying she didn’t show up at all,” Effiong said.
The lawyer further accused the LGI of manipulating records, including asking Ogwamayi to rewrite her response to a query and omit details of her April 7 appearance.
He described the NYSC’s public statement as “false” and “malicious,” alleging that the entire episode was part of a wider plan to punish her for outspoken comments on the state of the nation and the cost of living.
Effiong claimed his client faced threats and depression following her earlier criticism of living conditions during service, and said her PPA had granted her time off to recover — a decision the LGI allegedly ignored.
He vowed to write to the NYSC Director-General within hours to demand the immediate issuance of Ogwamayi’s certificate and cancellation of the extension.
He warned that if there was no favourable response, he would escalate the matter to the President, as provided under Section 20 of the NYSC Act, and take legal action.
“This is a national embarrassment. You cannot criminalise someone for serving their country,” Effiong said.
He challenged the NYSC to provide evidence that his client was officially notified of the decision before her passing-out date.
The scheme has yet to respond to the specific allegations against its officials in Eti-Osa LGA.
