By Deborah Nnamdi
An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, was on Monday arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful procurement of abortion.
Olalekan was accused of unlawfully procuring an abortion for Victoria Ariyo, a corps member serving in the state, who allegedly died last Tuesday due to complications arising from the procedure.
The defendant, who was said to have been in a romantic relationship with the deceased, was reportedly arrested by the police following Ariyo’s death.
According to the charge sheet marked MA/22/99/2026, Olalekan and others now at large allegedly conspired between January and March 2026 at the Ikereku area, Laderin, Abeokuta, within the Abeokuta Magisterial District, to commit a felony to wit abortion, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State 2006.
He was further accused of unlawfully attempting to procure the abortion by supplying drugs to Ariyo Victoria Olapeju, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 230 of the same law.
When the charges were read before the presiding Magistrate, A.K. Araba, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Defence counsel, Elizabeth Adelabu, subsequently applied for bail, arguing that the offences were bailable. The court granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed.
The Magistrate directed that the sureties provide a utility bill, depose to an affidavit of means, submit six passport photographs, and present evidence of 2026 tax payment to the Ogun State Government. Olalekan was ordered remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned until April 14 for further hearing.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command had earlier confirmed that it commenced an investigation into Ariyo’s death, which was reportedly linked to complications from an abortion procedure. Her remains were said to have been buried at Kobape Cemetery along Kobape-Sagamu Road, Abeokuta.
Ariyo’s death reportedly occurred barely a month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, died under what were described as mysterious circumstances in Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Adeleye was said to have been working at a television station in the state capital before her sudden death. Both deceased corps members were reportedly friends.
A source disclosed that Mary was found lifeless in her apartment near her place of primary assignment, with the cause of her death yet to be determined.
Confirming the investigation, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Reacting to the development, the Ogun State NYSC Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Igba, said he was unaware of the incidents as he was currently on leave and would not resume until April.
