By our Reporter
A staff member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, was on Monday arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court over the death of a corps member, Olapeju Ariyo, allegedly linked to the supply of drugs to terminate a pregnancy.
Olalekan, who resides in the Mosafuneto area of Oke Ata, Abeokuta, is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and attempt to procure an abortion.
The prosecutor, Inspector Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the alleged offences were committed between January and March in the Ikereku area of Laderin, Abeokuta. He stated that the defendant conspired with others still at large to commit a felony.
According to the prosecution, Olalekan was in a relationship with the deceased corps member, who was serving in Abeokuta at the time. It was further alleged that the drugs he procured to terminate the pregnancy led to Ariyo’s death.
The offences, the prosecutor noted, contravene Sections 516 and 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defence counsel, Mrs Bunmi Adelabu, urged the court to grant her client bail on liberal terms, citing Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). She argued that the charge did not directly establish that the defendant caused the death of the deceased.
In her ruling, Magistrate A.K. Araba granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. She directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed.
The court further ordered that the sureties provide a utility bill, affidavit of means, six passport photographs, and evidence of 2026 tax payment to the Ogun State Government.
Olalekan was, however, remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned until April 14 for further hearing.
