A magistrate court in Isabo has granted bail to a local government inspector of the National Youth Service Corps in Abeokuta South, Abass Olalekan, accused of procuring abortion leading to the death of a corps member, Victoria Ariyo.
Ms Ariyo died on the penultimate Tuesday.
Mr Olalekan was arraigned on Monday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful attempted procurement of abortion for the corps member, by supplying her with drugs, an offence punishable under section 230 of the same law.
In the charge sheet marked MA/22/99/2026, the prosecutor, Lawrence Olu-Balogun, alleged that Mr Olalekan and others at large conspired between January and March 2026, at the Ikereku area of Laderin, Abeokuta, to commit felony, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The NYSC official, believed to have been in a romantic relationship with Ms Ariyo before her demise, pleaded not guilty to all the charges, prompting the defence counsel, Elizabeth Adelabu, to apply for bail, arguing that the offences are bailable, citing 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution.
Presiding magistrate A.K. Araba, therefore, granted the defendant bail of ₦500,000 with two sureties in like sum, one of which must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed, and both must provide a utility bill, affidavit of means, six passport photographs, and evidence of 2026 tax payment.
The magistrate remanded Mr Olalekan at the Ibara Correctional Centre custody, pending the perfection of bail conditions, and adjourned the case until April 14 for further hearing.
“I have applied for the bail, and he was granted bail. I pointed it out to the court. Second count before the court says ‘attempt to procure abortion with drugs’, the name of the drug was not mentioned.
“If you are to give somebody drugs, where is the nurse? The proof given to me does not have the statement of the nurse. All these investigations, as the police claimed they carried out. I told the court, he who comes with equity must come with clean hands,” the NYSC official’s lawyer told journalists.
Ms Adelabu added, “So, on that basis, section 36(5) enures in his favour, he’s still presumed to be innocent. Then section 165 of the ACJL makes provisions for bail generally. The two counts, sections 516 and 230, do not attract capital punishment or the death penalty. So, it’s his constitutional right to be granted bail.
“They had five witnesses, only one was present in court. The court asked them, what is the essence of one out of five in this matter? When we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it. All we want is justice.”
