Police charge NYSC staff over death of corps member in Ogun

Police on Monday charged a 43-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) staffer, Abbas Olalekan, at the Abeokuta Chief Justice in Ogun State, over the death of a corps member in the state.

Olalekan was charged with conspiracy and unlawful attempt to procure an abortion by providing drugs.

Police prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offenses between January and March
in Ikereku area, Laderin, in Abeokuta.

He accused the defendant of conspiring with other people who are now free to commit crimes, such as abortion.

The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant attempted to perform an abortion by administering drugs to the deceased.

According to him, the accused had an affair with the deceased who served in Abeokuta and impregnated her.

She accused Olalekan of trying to end her pregnancy by providing her with abortion medication.

Prosecutors told the court that the drugs given to the woman allegedly caused her death.

READ ALSO: Nigerian government denies reports of drowning of 150 bandits in the Sokoto river

He argued that the offense contravenes the provisions of Sections 516 and 230 of the Ogun State Criminal Code of 2006 and is punishable by the same.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defense counsel, Ms Bunmi Adelabu, urged the court to grant bail to her client in the most liberal manner, citing Article 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Adelabu told the court that the charges did not show that the accused was responsible for the death of the deceased.

Judge, Mrs. AK Araba, granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties in the same amount.

Araba decided that one of the guarantors should be a relative, while the other should have a well-paying job.

He added that the guarantor must provide a utility bill, submit a written statement of means, submit six passport photos and provide proof of 2026 tax payment to the Ogun State government.

The judge also ordered that the defendant be returned to the Ibara Correctional Institution while waiting for his bail conditions to be perfect.

He adjourned the case to April 14 for further hearing.