Corper’s death: NYSC official re-arraigned, remanded in Ogun

Abass Olalekan, an official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, was re-arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abeokuta on Monday over alleged involvement in the death of a corps member, Victoria Ariyo.

Olalekan was arraigned on a four-count charge, as against the earlier two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and an attempt to procure abortion.

The NYSC official, who served as the Local Government Inspector at Abeokuta South Local Government until his arraignment, was said to have procured an abortion for the late Ariyo, with whom he allegedly had a romantic relationship.

He was arraigned before Magistrate A.K. Araba and granted bail in the sum of N500,000, along with other conditions.

However, there was a twist in the case on Monday following Olalekan’s re-arraignment on amended charges, including murder.

Police counsel, Solomon Babalola, urged the court to remand the defendant for 60 days in the first instance at the Oba Correctional Centre pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo granted the application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the State DPP.

The case was adjourned to June 1 for continuation.