Funmi Falana’s Women Empowerment Group Vows To Drag NYSC To Court Over Harassment Of Female Corps Member
Falana stated that freedom of speech is a fundamental right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and no citizen should be subjected to threats or reprisals for expressing their opinion on matters of public concern.
Human rights lawyer, Funmi Falana, SAN, has condemned the alleged harassment and intimidation of a serving corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, by officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos State.
In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters, Falana, who is the founder and Chairperson of the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), expressed strong concerns over the violation of Uguamaye’s constitutional rights, particularly her freedom of expression.
Falana stated that freedom of speech is a fundamental right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and no citizen should be subjected to threats or reprisals for expressing their opinion on matters of public concern.
She warned that WELA would take legal action against the NYSC and the Local Government Inspector (LGI) responsible for the alleged harassment if such intimidation persists.
The organisation vowed to file a fundamental human rights suit on behalf of Uguamaye should the violations continue.
Falana further called on the leadership of the NYSC to put an end to any form of intimidation against corps members and to uphold their rights to express themselves freely without fear of persecution.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to the case of Ushie Uguamaye, a serving youth corper in Lagos State, who is allegedly facing harassment and intimidation from officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for exercising her constitutional right to freedom of expression.
“Freedom of speech is a fundamental right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and no citizen should be subjected to threats or reprisals for expressing their opinion on matters of public concern.
“Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) will not hesitate to file a fundamental human rights suit on her behalf should these acts of intimidation persist.”
She said, “Furthermore, if the harassment continues, WELA will take legal action against her Local Government Inspector (LGI) and the National Youth Service Corps to ensure that her rights are fully protected.”
“We call on the NYSC leadership to immediately put an end to any form of intimidation against Miss Uguamaye and to respect the rights of all corps members to freely express themselves without fear of persecution,” Falana added.
