Ruth NWORIE
An official of National Youth Service Corps in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, was on Monday arraigned before a magistrate court sitting in lsabo, Abeokuta, over alleged unlawful procurement of abortion believed to have led to the death of one Victoria Ariyo a corps member serving in the state.
Ariyo was said to have died on Tuesday due to complications arising from the abortion complications.
Olalekan, is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful procurement of abortion. He is said to have been in a romantic relationship with the corps member before her death.
According to the charge sheet marked MA/22/99/2026 reads “that you Abbas Olalekan and others at large, between January and March 2026, at Ikereku area, Laderin, Abeokuta, in the Abeokuta Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit abortion and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State 2006.
“That you,. Abbas Olalekan and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district did unlawfully attempt to procure abortion by supplying Ariyo Victoria Olapeju ‘F” drugs and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State 2006.”
The NYSC official, while appearing before the presiding Magistrate, A. K Araba, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges being pressed against him.
The defendant’s counsel, Elizabeth Adelabu, filed for bail on behalf of the accused, stating that the alleged charges are bailable. Araba granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, saying that one of the sureties must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed.
The magistrate added that the sureties must provide a utility bill, swear to an affidavit of means, submit six passport photographs and provide evidence of the 2026 tax payment to the Ogun Government.
She ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending perfection of the bail conditions. The case was adjourned till April 14 for further hearing.
