Senior Lawyers Drag NYSC to Court Over Deployment of Corps Members to Insecure States

Senior Lawyers Drag NYSC to Court Over Deployment of Corps Members to Insecure States

WARRI — Two prominent legal practitioners, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun (SAN) and John Aikpokpo-Martins, have instituted a Fundamental Rights Enforcement action before the High Court of Delta State, Warri Judicial Division, challenging the continued deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to states and communities affected by severe insecurity across Nigeria.

The suit seeks judicial intervention against what the applicants describe as the persistent posting of corps members to areas plagued by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed attacks and other forms of violent criminality, despite widespread concerns over the safety of young graduates participating in the national service scheme.

According to the applicants, the deployment of corps members to locations where lives are constantly under threat amounts to a violation of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to life, dignity of the human person, personal liberty and security.

The legal action comes amid growing public anxiety over the security of NYSC members, following several incidents in recent years involving the abduction, harassment and killing of corps members in different parts of the country.

Edun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Aikpokpo-Martins contend that the authorities responsible for administering the NYSC scheme have a legal and constitutional duty to protect participants from foreseeable dangers. They argue that compelling or assigning corps members to regions with known security challenges exposes them to unnecessary risks and undermines the government’s obligation to safeguard citizens.

The applicants are asking the court to determine whether the continued deployment of corps members to areas designated as security flashpoints is compatible with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s obligations under relevant human rights instruments.

READ ALSO:

• Kidnapped Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Dies in Bandits’ Captivity
• 258 Nigerians Return Home, Share Disturbing Stories of Attacks in South Africa
• Displaced Terrorists Moving into South-East, South-South – Security Sources

They are also seeking orders that would compel the NYSC and other relevant government agencies to review and reform deployment policies in a manner that prioritises the safety and welfare of corps members.

Observers say the case could have far-reaching implications for the future of the NYSC scheme if the court rules in favour of the applicants. A favourable judgment may require the scheme to establish stricter security benchmarks before deploying corps members and could potentially limit postings to locations considered unsafe.

The lawsuit has already generated significant interest among stakeholders, including parents, civil society organisations and youth groups, many of whom have repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of participants in the mandatory one-year national service programme.

Security experts have also argued that the increasing wave of insecurity in parts of the country necessitates a review of policies affecting young Nigerians serving under the NYSC scheme.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the NYSC Directorate Headquarters nor relevant federal authorities had issued an official response to the suit.

The case is expected to test the extent of the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect corps members and may shape future policies regarding the deployment of young graduates under the nation’s compulsory service programme.

Senior Lawyers Drag NYSC to Court Over Deployment of Corps Members to Insecure States