National Youth Service Corps representative charged in Ogun State court following demise of serving participant

Abass Olalekan, an official of the National Youth Service Corps in Ogun State, was arraigned before the Magistrate Court at Isabo, Abeokuta, on Monday, to face two counts of conspiracy and unlawful procurement of abortion for Victoria Ariyo, a corper who died last Tuesday due to alleged complications from abortion procedures.

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Olalekan, who was reportedly in a romantic relationship with Ariyo, was arrested by the police following the corper's untimely death, and the charge sheet marked MA/22/99/2026 details the offences he allegedly committed between January and March 2026, at Ikereku area, Laderin, Abeokuta.

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The charge sheet reads that Olalekan and others at large conspired to commit felony, namely abortion, and also unlawfully attempted to procure abortion by supplying Ariyo with "F" drugs, offences punishable under Sections 516 and 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State 2006.

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When he appeared before Magistrate A. K Araba, Olalekan pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and his counsel, Elizabeth Adelabu, filed for bail on the grounds that the charges are bailable.

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Magistrate Araba granted Olalekan bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, stipulating that one surety must be a blood relative and the other gainfully employed, with additional requirements including a utility bill and evidence of 2026 tax payment to the Ogun Government.

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The Magistrate ordered that Olalekan be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending perfection of the bail conditions, and the case was adjourned until April 14 for further hearing.

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The Ogun State police command had launched an investigation into Ariyo's death, which was allegedly caused by complications from abortion procedures, and her remains were buried at Kobape Cemetery on the Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.

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Ariyo's death occurred barely a month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, died under mysterious circumstances, and it was reported that both deceased corps members were friends and served in the same Abeokuta South LG.

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A source revealed that Adeleye Mary was found dead in her apartment, with the cause of her death still unknown, while Victoria Ariyo died from complications arising from an abortion procedure.

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A police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that the case of Ariyo's demise is under investigation by the state Criminal Investigation Department.

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When contacted, the Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State NYSC, Mr. Emmanuel Igba, stated that he was unaware of the incidents, as he had been on leave and would not resume until April.