Public interest and human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has announced that his law office has formally appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) decision to extend the service year of Ms Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye.
In a statement issued on Thursday on his X handle, September 4, 2025, Effiong said the administrative appeal was filed in accordance with Section 20 of the NYSC Act, which empowers aggrieved corps members to seek redress directly from the Presidency.
The lawyer recalled that on August 12, 2025, his office had submitted a petition to the NYSC Director-General requesting a reversal of the extension and the issuance of Uguamaye’s Certificate of National Service. However, after three weeks without a response, the legal team escalated the matter to the Presidency.
Quoting Section 20 of the Act, Effiong explained that the law grants the President and Commander-in-Chief authority to confirm or overturn decisions of the NYSC, or take any other action deemed just, before an aggrieved corps member can seek redress in court.
He stressed that the law requires both the NYSC Director-General and the President to be given the opportunity to remedy any grievances before litigation is considered.
“We are hopeful that President Tinubu will uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law by reversing what we consider an unjust and arbitrary decision against Ms. Rita Uguamaye,” Effiong stated.
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