NYSC Official Arraigned Over Corps Member’s Death, Pregnancy Cover-Up

NYSC official arraigned over alleged abortion attempt linked to corps member
Prosecutor alleges drugs supplied led to victim’s death in Abeokuta
Court grants bail, remands defendant pending fulfilment of conditions

The Local Government Inspector of the National Youth Service Corps, Abbas Olalekan, has been arraigned before an Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta over alleged conspiracy and attempt to procure abortion.

Olalekan, who resides in the Mosafueto area of Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful attempt to procure abortion by supplying drugs.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the arraignment followed the death of a female corps member, Victoria Ariyo, who served under Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Ariyo was reported to have died last Tuesday from complications related to pregnancy.

Sources alleged that the defendant had a romantic relationship with the deceased, which resulted in pregnancy and an attempt to terminate it.

During proceedings on Monday, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the alleged offences were committed between January and March at the Ikereku area, Laderin, Abeokuta. He said the defendant conspired with others still at large to commit a felony.

He alleged that Olalekan attempted to procure an abortion by supplying drugs to Ariyo, now deceased. According to the prosecutor, the defendant, a staff member of the NYSC, impregnated the victim and made efforts to terminate the pregnancy through the use of drugs.

The prosecution further stated that the drugs administered allegedly led to her death, adding that the offences contravened Sections 516 and 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

Counsel to the defendant, Mrs Bunmi Adelabu, urged the court to grant her client bail in liberal terms, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. She argued that the charges before the court did not directly establish that the defendant caused the death of the deceased.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs A.K. Araba, granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties in like sum. She directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed.

The court also ordered that the sureties must provide a utility bill, swear to an affidavit of means, submit six passport photographs and present evidence of 2026 tax payment to the Ogun State Government.

The magistrate, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions.