Judge orders detention of National Youth Service Corps staff member in connection with fatal incident involving participant

A recent court ruling has seen Abass Olalekan, an official of the National Youth Service Corps, remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre for 60 days, following allegations of his involvement in an unlawful abortion that led to the death of 23-year-old corps member Victoria Ariyo, as ordered by Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo in an Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta.

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The remand order was granted after the police prosecuting counsel, Solomon Babalola, filed an ex parte motion, presenting amended charges against the defendant, which included conspiracy, unlawful supply of drugs for abortion, and murder, marking a significant turn in the case that initially began with a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to procure abortion.

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Olalekan is accused of having impregnated Victoria Ariyo and subsequently facilitating the termination of the pregnancy, which allegedly resulted in her death, with the defendant initially pleading not guilty to the initial charges and being granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with additional conditions.

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The amended four-count charge against Olalekan includes the allegation that he conspired with others to commit felony, specifically abortion, between January and March 2026, in the Ikereku area of Laderin, Abeokuta, as stated in the charge sheet that referenced Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

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The charge sheet further detailed that Olalekan unlawfully attempted to procure an abortion by supplying Ariyo with drugs, and also conspired to commit murder, with the allegation that he unlawfully killed Ariyo by administering drugs for abortion, highlighting the severity of the accusations against him.

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Prosecuting counsel Babalola urged the court to remand the defendant pending the issuance of legal advice from the Ogun State Directorate of Public Prosecution, requesting a 60-day remand at the Oba Correctional Centre, which was subsequently granted by Magistrate Odubanjo.

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The court ruling led to the defendant being remanded accordingly, with the case adjourned until June 1, 2026, for further proceedings, marking the next stage in the legal process for Olalekan.