NYSC abortion death case sees Ogun court remand official for 60 days over alleged role in corps member’s death, pending DPP advice

An Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, on Monday ordered the remand of Abass Olalekan, an official of the National Youth Service Corps, for 60 days over his alleged involvement in the death of a 23-year-old corps member, Victoria Ariyo.

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Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo granted the remand order following an ex parte application filed by police prosecuting counsel, Solomon Babalola, pending legal advice from the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The NYSC abortion death case took a dramatic turn as Olalekan was re-arraigned on amended charges, including murder, after initially facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to procure abortion. He had earlier pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N500,000.

According to the amended charge sheet, the defendant and others at large allegedly conspired between January and March 2026 to procure an unlawful abortion for Ariyo, which prosecutors say resulted in her death.

The charges include conspiracy, supply of drugs for unlawful abortion, and murder under relevant provisions of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State.

Police told the court that Olalekan allegedly supplied drugs intended to terminate the pregnancy, leading to fatal consequences for the victim.

Babalola urged the court to remand the defendant to allow for further investigation and legal advice, a request granted by Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo, who ordered that Olalekan be held at the Oba Correctional Centre.

The case has been adjourned until June 1 for further proceedings.

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Legal observers note that the inclusion of a murder charge significantly raises the stakes, with the outcome likely to depend on the findings and recommendations of the Director of Public Prosecutions.