Reporter shouldn’t be punished for breaching NYSC’s system to enrol twice – Ogun

LEGIT NG

Human Rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has said although it is a crime to enroll for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after completing service and collecting a certificate, Umar Shehu Audu, who went undercover to expose corruption in the issuance of certificates in Benin Republic should not be punished.

It would be recalled that Ugochukwu Favour, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Benin Republic chapter, had called for Audu’s arrest.

“Punishing Audu would be contrary to public policy”: Ogun

Favour said the fact that Audu participated in the NYSC twice (first in 2019 and then in 2023) means he should be taken into custody by the police.

Against the backdrop of the NANS president’s demand, Legit.ng spoke to Ogun who posited that Audu should rather be commended for his “courageous” act.

He said:

“It is a crime to enroll for NYSC after completion and issuance of an initial certificate. However, that will not be applicable to the courageous journalist under the public policy principle. Punishing him for exposing the rot in the system will be contrary to public policy. He deserves commendation and national honour for rescuing our education system from complete collapse.”