By Nchetachi Chukwuajah, An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded an official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abbas Olalekan, over an alleged conspiracy and attempt to procure an abortion for a now-deceased corps member serving in Abeokuta. This development has drawn significant attention as it concerns NYSC staff remanded over corps member death.
The 43-year-old Olalekan, who resides in the Mosafueto area, Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, is charged with conspiracy and unlawful attempt to procure abortion by supplying drugs in connection with the NYSC staff remanded over corps member death.
The prosecution counsel, Inspector Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between January and March 2026 in the Ikereku area, Laderin, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He alleged that the defendant conspired with others now at large to commit a felony, to wit, abortion.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant attempted to procure an abortion by supplying drugs to the now deceased corps member, identified as Victoria Ariyo.
Olu-Balogun said the defendant had an affair with the deceased, impregnated her, and attempted to terminate the pregnancy by procuring abortion drugs for her.
According to the prosecutor, the drugs administered allegedly led to the corps member’s death. Moreover, this incident involving the NYSC staff remanded over corps member death has raised concerns about welfare and oversight.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 516 and 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Notably, the matter of NYSC staff remanded over corps member death remains controversial.
Counsel to the defendant, 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 told the court that the charge did not indicate that the defendant was responsible for the death of the deceased.
In her ruling, the 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 of the sureties must be a relative, while the other must be gainfully employed.
She added that the sureties must provide a utility bill, depose to an affidavit of means, submit six passport photographs, and provide evidence of 2026 tax payment to the Ogun State Government.
The magistrate also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending perfection of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned until April 14 for further hearing.
