Ogun State Government Assumes Prosecution in NYSC Official Case
The Ogun State Government has officially taken over the prosecution of the case involving Abass Olalekan, a Local Government Inspector with the National Youth Service Corps in Abeokuta South, who is facing charges related to the death of corps member Victoria Ariyo. This development comes as the government moves to counter what it describes as misleading claims circulating online regarding the strength of evidence in the case.
Clarification on Bail and Evidence
In a detailed statement released by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), the government clarified that the bail granted to Olalekan on March 22, 2026, by the Magistrate Court 1 in Isabo, Abeokuta, was based solely on the bailable nature of the charges. The government emphasized that this decision does not reflect the quality or strength of the evidence against him, addressing widespread misinterpretations in public commentary.
The Attorney-General's office confirmed that it has received the case file from the State Police Command and will now lead the prosecution. The charges stem from police investigation findings alleging that Olalekan was in a relationship with the deceased Victoria Ariyo, who was reportedly pregnant at the time of her death. The prosecution further alleges that he encouraged the termination of the pregnancy, recommended an individual to carry out the procedure, and provided financial support for it, with Ariyo said to have died following the procedure.
Dismissal of False Claims
The government has strongly dismissed claims questioning the credibility of evidence and suggesting missing witnesses as false and misleading. It stressed that the case is still at a preliminary stage, and issues relating to evidence will be determined during the trial. The statement warned against speculation that could undermine confidence in the judicial process, urging the public and media to allow the court process to run its course and to disregard unverified information.
This move by the Ogun State Government underscores its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent legal process in this high-profile case, which has garnered significant public attention since Olalekan's arraignment on two counts.
