The Ogun State Government has taken over the trial of a Local Government Inspector of the National Youth Service Corps in Abeokuta South, Abass Olalekan.

It also dismissed negative online claims doubting the strength of evidence, after he was granted bail.

Mr. Olalekan was arraigned on Monday, before a Magistrate Court 1 in Isabo, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful procurement of abortion for a corpse member, Victoria Ariyo, he allegedly impregnated, by supplying her with drugs

The charge noted that the offence was punishable under Section 230 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006. 

In the charge sheet marked MA/22/99/2026, the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Lawrence Olu-Balogun, said that the defendant and others at large allegedly conspired between January and March 2026, at the Ikereku area of Laderin, to commit felony, contrary to Section 516 of the same law.

The defendant however pleaded not guilty and was subsequently granted a N500,000 bail, with two sureties in like sum, one of which must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed, and both must provide a utility bill, affidavit of means, six passport photographs, and evidence of 2026 tax payment.

The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, in a statement on X, on Tuesday, stated that the court’s decision “has been widely misinterpreted in public commentary.”

Mr Ogungbade clarified that the bail granted, “was based solely on the bailable nature of the charges and does not reflect the strength or quality of the evidence.”

According to the state government, the claims questioning the credibility of evidence and suggesting missing witnesses are “false and misleading,” insisting that “the case remains at a preliminary stage.”

Mr Ogungbade also stated that his office “has taken over the prosecution of the case after receiving the case file from the state police command,” whose investigation alleged that the defendant “encouraged the termination of the pregnancy, recommended an individual to carry out the procedure, and provided financial support for it. The deceased was said to have died following the procedure.”

Further explaining that issues relating to evidence would be determined during trial, Mr Ogungbade warned against speculation that could undermine confidence in the judicial process.

He also urged the public and the media to allow the court process run its course and to disregard unverified information circulating about the case.