Court remands NYSC official over corps member’s death

By James Ogunnaike

An Ogun State Magistrate Court, sitting in Isabo area of Abeokuta, on Monday ordered the remand of an official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abass Olalekan, at the Oba Correctional Centre for 60 days, over his alleged involvement in an unlawful abortion that reportedly led to the death of a 23-year-old corps member, Victoria Ariyo.

The remand order was granted by Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo following an ex parte motion filed by the police prosecuting counsel, Solomon Babalola, after amended charges were preferred against the defendant.

Olalekan is alleged to have impregnated the deceased corps member and facilitated the termination of the pregnancy, which allegedly resulted in her death.

The defendant, who was initially arraigned last Monday before Magistrate A.K. Araba on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to procure abortion, had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with other conditions.

However, proceedings took a new turn on Monday when Olalekan was re-arraigned on an amended four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful supply of drugs for abortion, and murder.

The charge sheet partly reads: “That you, Abass Olalekan ‘M’ and others at large, between January and March 2026, at Ikereku area, Laderin, Abeokuta, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit: abortion, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”

It further stated: “That you… did unlawfully attempt to procure abortion by supplying Ariyo Victoria Olapeju ‘F’ with drugs…”

On the murder allegation, the charge added: “That you… did conspire to commit felony, to wit: murder…” and “did unlawfully kill one Ariyo Victoria Olapeju, aged 23 years, by administering drugs for abortion…”

Speaking in court, the prosecuting counsel, Babalola, urged the court to remand the defendant pending legal advice from the Ogun State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

“We respectfully apply that the defendant be remanded for 60 days at the Oba Correctional Centre pending the issuance of legal advice by the DPP,” he said.

Ruling on the application, Magistrate Odubanjo granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded accordingly.

The case was thereafter adjourned till June 1, 2026, for further proceedings.

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