‘Abortion’: NYSC official arraigned over conspiracy in female corps member’s death

The Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State, Abbas Olalekan, has been arraigned before an Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta over alleged conspiracy and an attempt to procure an abortion. Olalekan, a resident of the Mosafueto area, Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, faces a two-count charge […]

The Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State, Abbas Olalekan, has been arraigned before an Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta over alleged conspiracy and an attempt to procure an abortion.

Olalekan, a resident of the Mosafueto area, Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, faces a two-count charge of conspiracy and the unlawful attempt to procure an abortion by supplying drugs.

Daily Trust reports that the arraignment follows the death of Victoria Ariyo, a corps member who served under the Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

Ariyo reportedly died last Tuesday from pregnancy complications.

Sources claim the LGI was involved in a romantic relationship with the deceased which led to a pregnancy and a subsequent termination attempt that resulted in her death.

During his arraignment on Monday, Olalekan pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between January and March in the Ikereku area of Laderin, Abeokuta.

He alleged that the defendant conspired with others, currently at large, to commit a felony—specifically, an abortion.

Olu-Balogun further alleged that the defendant, while employed by the NYSC, had an affair with the deceased and attempted to terminate her pregnancy by procuring drugs for her.

The prosecutor noted that the administered drugs allegedly led to the death of the victim (referred to in court documents as Victoria Ariyo/Olapeju).

The offences are said to contravene Sections 516 and 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

The defense counsel, Mrs. Bunmi Adelabu, applied for bail in the most liberal terms, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Adelabu argued that the specific charges did not state the defendant was directly responsible for the death of the deceased. Magistrate Mrs. A.K. Araba granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.  Araba ruled that one surety must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed. Both must provide utility bills, an affidavit of means, six passport photographs, and evidence of 2026 tax payments to the Ogun State Government.

The magistrate ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until April 14, for hearing.