*** Court Grants Bail N500,000 With Two Sureties In Like Sum

The Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State, Abbas Olalekan, has been arraigned before an Isabo Magistrate court, Abeokuta, over alleged conspiracy and attempt to procure abortion.

Olalekan, who resides at Mosafueto area, Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful attempt to procure abortion by supplying drugs.

DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS reports that his arraignment followed death of a female corps member, Victoria Ariyo, who served under the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of the NYSC.

Ariyo reportedly died last Tuesday from pregnancy complications.

Sources claimed that the LGI was involved in a romantic relationship with the deceased, which eventually led to pregnancy, and a termination that led to her death.

During his arraignment on Monday, Olalekan pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between January and March at Ikereku area, Laderin, Abeokuta.

He alleged that the defendant conspired with others now at large to commit a felony, to wit abortion.

Olu-Balogun, further alleged that the defendant attempted to procure abortion by supplying drugs to Ariyo, now deceased.

According to him, the defendant, a staff member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), had an affair with the deceased, who was a corps member serving in Abeokuta.

He alleged that Olalekan impregnated Olapeju and attempted to terminate the pregnancy by procuring abortion drugs for her.

The prosecutor said the drugs administered allegedly led to the death of Olapeju.

He said the offence committed contravened Sections 516 and 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Counsel to the defendant, Mrs Bunmi Adelabu, however applied for the defendant 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.

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 blood 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 Government.

The magistrate also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending perfection of the bail conditions.

The case was, however, adjourned until April 14 for further hearing.