NYSC Official Charged with Conspiracy Linked to Female Corps Member's Death

The Local Government Inspector for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abeokuta South, Ogun State, Abbas Olalekan, has been charged in an Isabo Magistrate Court due to allegations of conspiracy and the unlawful procurement of an abortion.

Olalekan, a resident of the Mosafueto area, Oke-Ata in Abeokuta, faces a two- count indictment involving conspiracy and an attempt to procure an abortion through drug supply.

Reports from Daily Trust indicate that his arraignment stems from the passing of a female corps member, Victoria Ariyo, who served under Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

Ariyo tragically passed away last Tuesday as a result of complications related to her pregnancy.

Sources suggest that the LGI had been romantically involved with the deceased, resulting in her pregnancy and a subsequent attempt to terminate it that ultimately led to her death.

During the court proceedings on Monday, Olalekan entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him.

The prosecution, led by Inspector Lawrence Olu-Balogun, informed the court that the offenses occurred between January and March in the Ikereku area of Laderin, Abeokuta.

He asserted that Olalekan conspired with unidentified accomplices to carry out an illegal act of abortion.

Olu-Balogun further claimed that the defendant made an effort to facilitate an abortion by providing drugs to Ariyo, who is now deceased.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant, as a staff member of the NYSC, had engaged in an intimate relationship with Ariyo, during which he allegedly impregnated her and sought to terminate the pregnancy by supplying her with abortion-inducing medications.

The prosecutor emphasized that the drugs administered were purportedly responsible for the death of Ariyo.

These actions are alleged to contravene Sections 516 and 230 of Ogun State's Criminal Code Laws of 2006.

Despite the charges, Olalekan maintains his innocence.

Defensive counsel, Mrs. Bunmi Adelabu, requested bail for her client under the most lenient terms, referencing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

Adelabu argued that the charges did not clearly attribute the cause of the deceased's death to Olalekan.

Magistrate Mrs. A.K. Araba granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000, requiring two sureties of equal value.

One of these sureties must be a blood relative, while the other should have a steady source of income.

Additionally, the sureties are required to provide a utility bill, submit an affidavit of means, present six passport photographs, and demonstrate payment of taxes for 2026 to the Ogun State Government.

The magistrate ordered that Olalekan be detained at Ibara Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fulfilled.

The case has been adjourned until April 14 for further proceedings.