The family of Ariyo Victoria Olapeju, a corps member who died following a controversial abortion in Abeokuta South Local Government, Ogun State, has demanded justice, stressing that while her death cannot be reversed, the responsible parties must be held accountable.
Speaking on Monday during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Adebola Adeyemo, counsel to the family, said the deceased was initially deployed to Cross River State under the NYSC scheme before being transferred to Abeokuta South Local Government. “The deceased was Ariyo Victoria Olapeju, a serving corps member at Abeokuta South Local Government of Ogun State. She was transferred; she was initially deployed to Cross River State for her service by NYSC scheme. And later she got redeployed to Abeokuta South Local Government. So she was placed under the supervision of the LGI of Abeokuta South Local Government. And while she was there, somehow she got engaged in a relationship with the LGI of the local government. And from there, it led to pregnancy. The LGI impregnated her. And later, an abortion was carried out, facilitated by the help of the LGI and another person, a nurse. And presently, which later led to the death of the NYSC corps member, that’s Ariyo Victoria Olapeju.”
Adeyemo stressed that the family’s pursuit of justice goes beyond the tragedy, aiming to safeguard future corps members. “We want justice to be seen and done. Those responsible, including the LGI and any accomplices, must be held accountable. The nurse will face court proceedings as necessary.”
From Deployment to Death
According to Adeyemo, the LGI directly facilitated the abortion through a nurse. “The LGI provided the deceased with the contact of the nurse. She called the nurse and the abortion was carried out. Unfortunately, the pregnancy was ectopic. The procedure was not properly conducted and affected her internal organs, which led to her death,” she explained.
The counsel described the relationship as exploitative, highlighting the abuse of authority. “Yes, ordinarily, the relationship that also exists between a LGI, a local government inspector, and a corps member of NYSC should be strictly official. But when you find a situation where the corps member gets involved in a relationship, then we can call it exploitative. At that time, the office of the LGI is to ensure it safeguards the corps members placed under its supervision. So, anything outside that scope shows it is exploitative. You can tag it exploitative. Anything illicit, if an LGI who occupies a position of trust uses that position in the relationship, we call it exploitative.”
Allegations Against LGI and Nurse
The family’s petition to the police alleges gross misconduct, sexual exploitation, and conspiracy against the LGI. “During the investigation, the police discovered that there was a conspiracy in aiding and abetting the unlawful abortion,” Adeyemo said. She added that the nurse who carried out the abortion is also being held responsible. “There is a case of conspiracy and unlawful abortion involving the LGI, the deceased, and the nurse. The LGI paid the nurse for her role in the procedure.”
Adeyemo noted that the NYSC, as an institution, has a duty of care to corps members. “NYSC must safeguard corps members and ensure that harassment and exploitation are forbidden. They have been cooperating with us, attending the police station with family members, and providing support.”
Court Proceedings and Concerns Over Charge Sheet
Adeyemo provided a detailed account of events leading up to and during the LGI’s arraignment. “On the 23rd of March, 2026, which was last week Monday, we were in court. Before that time, the LGI was in police custody. During the Ramadan break, we were suddenly called. My client was called. The family members were called that the LGI would be taken to court. And before then, the police informed us that they were still under investigation. So precisely on Sunday, the 22nd of March, the police called and told us that the matter would be taken to court. At that point, I was trying to understand what led to the rush. Anyway, we went to court. By the time we got there, the LGI was arraigned and he took on charge.”
She raised concerns over what she described as attempts by the police and prosecutor to downplay the gravity of the case. “From my view, when I got to the court and examined the charge sheet, I noticed the involvement of the police in a way that appeared to water down the seriousness of the case. The LGI was charged on two counts: conspiracy with someone at large to procure an abortion, and an attempt to procure an abortion. But the charge sheet did not state that the abortion led to the corps member’s death. While all this was unfolding, I heard the prosecutor say that in a situation like this, there is love existing between the two of them. I felt disappointed that a prosecutor, who should handle the case impartially, was already giving judgments on a matter yet to proceed to trial. That is when I decided to speak with my clients and told them we had lost confidence in what the police were doing.”
Adeyemo explained the family’s efforts to ensure justice, highlighting missing evidence in the initial proceedings. “If you are saying somebody conspired, one person cannot conspire against himself. Who were those people he conspired with for the abortion? The nurse’s name was not mentioned. Statements from the first police station, Kemta Police Division, were not included. The nurse’s statement was missing. Listening to what the prosecutor said, I realized immediate intervention was necessary. So we wrote a letter to the Attorney General of Ogun State, requesting the office take over the prosecution. This request was granted. Although the matter has been adjourned to April 14, 2026, the nurse was later arraigned on four counts including conspiracy to commit felony, unlawful attempt to procure abortion, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder. Ordinarily, she should have been charged alongside the LGI, but for reasons best known to the police, she was initially excluded.”
Petition to the Attorney General
Following concerns over the police investigation, Adeyemo said the family petitioned the Attorney General (AG) of Ogun State to take over the case. “I nvestigations were incomplete before the LGI was rushed to court. Key witness statements, including the nurse, were not included in the proof of evidence. We petitioned the AG, and the office has now taken over prosecution.”
She added that the nurse was arraigned on Thursday, March 26, on four counts: conspiracy to commit abortion, unlawful attempt to procure abortion, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder. “The nurse got involved, but I don’t want to go deeply into it, because the matter is pending in court. Ordinarily, she should have been charged alongside the LGI, but the police excluded her initially.”
The next court session is scheduled for April 14, 2026, when consolidation of charges is expected. Adeyemo expressed confidence in the Attorney General’s office. “The family’s main goal is justice. Ariyo’s death cannot be reversed, but accountability must be ensured.”
The ENF Response and Upcoming Meeting
The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) issued a statement claiming the nurse is not culpable. Adeyemo countered: “The ENF has no legal power to interfere in criminal proceedings. They can provide statements and legal support, but they cannot dictate to the police. Investigation is the police’s duty; adjudication is the court’s responsibility. They are not the judges. Carry out your investigation, obtain statement from them, from each party involved in the case, then you take the matter to court, let the court decide. So, for them to say that they got some information from police sources, telling them that the woman is not culpable, then this is wrong. This is wrong. They have the right to issue statements, they have the right to provide legal support for their members, they have the right to request for fair hearing, but he who calls for equity must come with clean hands.”
Over the weekend, Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), confirmed via Eagle 102.5 FM that the matter is under his office’s supervision. The ENF coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, responded via Facebook Live, stating that the forum supports the nurse while respecting the ongoing legal process. Both parties are expected to meet today at 2 pm to discuss the case further.
Practical Advice to Corps Members
Adeyemo urged NYSC members to report abuse or vulnerable situations immediately. “I would advise that if they find themselves in any situation like this, they should report to the Office of the Zonal Inspector. They should write a letter to the Zonal Inspector or involve their parents. Once parents are involved and one or two people know about it, it becomes difficult for an individual to assume authority and act freely. They should speak out. That is the problem in this case. The lady refused to speak to her parents. If her parents had known, as elderly people, there is a way they would have approached it. They would have gone to the LGI, talked to him and known how to settle it. Corps members should take it higher to the Zonal Inspector and the Office of the State Coordinator of NYSC. NYSC has been cooperating with us and will not hide what is wrong.”
The case has reignited public debate about NYSC oversight and protections for corps members. Adeyemo said: “ This tragedy highlights the need for stronger safeguards for corps members and strict enforcement of professional boundaries to prevent abuses of authority.”
As Ogun State authorities prepare for the April 14 court session, the public and stakeholders remain focused on ensuring that the legal process is fair, thorough, and transparent.
