An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, has been remanded in custody for 60 days following his re-arraignment over the alleged murder of a corps member, Victoria Ariyo.
Olalekan, who serves as the Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, was on Monday brought before a Magistrate’s Court in Abeokuta on an amended four-count charge, now including murder.
The 23-year-old victim, Ariyo, reportedly died two weeks ago from complications arising from a suspected abortion procedure.
She was said to have been in a romantic relationship with the suspect and became pregnant before the incident that led to her death.
The case took a new turn after the initial charges of conspiracy and attempt to procure abortion were upgraded to include murder during the re-arraignment.
Police counsel, Solomon Babalola, urged the court to remand the defendant pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Ruling on the application, Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo ordered that Olalekan be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre for 60 days while awaiting the DPP’s advice.
The case has been adjourned to June 1 for further proceedings.
