An Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has ordered the remand of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) official, Abass Olalekan, for 60 days over his alleged involvement in an unlawful abortion that reportedly resulted in the death of a 23-year-old corps member, Victoria Ariyo.
The remand order was issued on Monday by Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo following an ex parte application filed by the police prosecuting counsel, Solomon Babalola, based on amended charges against the defendant.
Olalekan is accused of impregnating the deceased corps member and subsequently facilitating the termination of the pregnancy, which allegedly led to her death.
The case took a dramatic turn after the defendant, who had earlier been arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted procurement of abortion, was re-arraigned on additional and more severe charges, including murder.
Initially, Olalekan had pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges before Magistrate A.K. Araba and was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with conditions.
However, during Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution introduced amended charges, bringing the total to four counts. These include conspiracy, unlawful supply of drugs to procure abortion, and murder.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant and others still at large allegedly conspired between January and March 2026 in the Ikereku area of Laderin, Abeokuta, to commit abortion and murder.
The prosecution further alleged that Olalekan unlawfully supplied drugs to the deceased with the intent to terminate her pregnancy, an act which ultimately resulted in her death.
Citing the gravity of the new charges, particularly the inclusion of murder, the police counsel requested that the court remand the defendant pending legal advice from the Ogun State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Magistrate Odubanjo granted the request and ordered that Olalekan be held at the Oba Correctional Centre, Abeokuta, for an initial period of 60 days.
The matter has been adjourned until June 1 for further proceedings.
