Ogun AG clarifies legal status of corps member’s death case

The Ogun State Government has dismissed claims circulating online regarding the strength of evidence in the case involving Abass Olalekan, who is standing trial over the death of a corps member, Victoria Ariyo.

 

Ariyo reportedly died last week following complications linked to an alleged abortion.

 

Olalekan, an inspector with the National Youth Service Corps in Abeokuta South Local Government, was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to procure unlawful abortion.

 

Presiding Magistrate granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties, including a blood relative and a gainfully employed individual.

 

Clarifying the development, the state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Sina Ogungbade, said the bail decision has been widely misinterpreted.

 

He explained that the granting of bail was based solely on the bailable nature of the charges and does not reflect the strength or quality of the evidence against the defendant.

 

The Attorney-General also confirmed that his office has taken over prosecution of the case from the police.

 

According to him, investigations allege that Olalekan was in a relationship with the deceased, who was reportedly pregnant, and that he encouraged the termination, recommended a person to carry out the procedure, and provided financial support.

 

The government described claims questioning the credibility of evidence and suggesting missing witnesses as false and misleading, noting that the case is still at a preliminary stage.

 

It added that issues relating to evidence would be determined during trial and urged the public to avoid speculation that could undermine the judicial process.