A disagreement has emerged between the Elegant Nurses Forum and the Ogun State Attorney General, Oluwasina Ogungbade, over the arrest and alleged involvement of Kehinde Adesanya in the death of a National Youth Service Corps member.
The controversy centres on whether Adesanya, who has been remanded in custody, is a qualified nurse and whether she bears any responsibility for the incident.
Adesanya, 37, was remanded for 60 days at a correctional facility in Abeokuta after appearing before a Magistrate Court on March 26, 2026. She is facing a four-count charge, including conspiracy, unlawful abortion, and murder.
The case is linked to the death of 23-year-old corps member Victoria Ariyo, who reportedly died from complications associated with a suspected abortion between January and March in Abeokuta.
According to the prosecution, drugs allegedly provided by Adesanya contributed to the death. The court adjourned proceedings to May 26, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, the Elegant Nurses Forum, led by its National Coordinator, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, has questioned both the evidence against Adesanya and her professional identity.
Olamide said information obtained from contacts within the police and the Police Community Relations Committee suggests that Adesanya neither treated the deceased nor acted outside professional medical standards.
She further claimed that police investigations initially found no link between Adesanya and the death, leading to her release before she was rearrested.
According to her, witnesses reportedly stated that Adesanya only advised that the ailing corps member be taken to a hospital after noticing her condition.
Medical reports cited by the forum indicate that the deceased was diagnosed with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy at a hospital, requiring urgent surgery before she later died.
The forum alleged that the rearrest was influenced by the Attorney General’s office, despite what it described as findings pointing to Adesanya’s innocence.
Olamide warned that such actions could erode public trust in the justice system and expose healthcare professionals to wrongful prosecution.
She called for an independent review of the case, clarity on the legal basis for the rearrest, and the immediate release of the suspect if no credible evidence is established.
In response, Ogungbade dismissed the claims and defended his office’s actions, stating that prosecutorial decisions are guided strictly by law, not public opinion.
He explained that while the police are responsible for investigations, the authority to prosecute or discontinue cases lies with the Attorney General’s office.
He also described the forum’s position as inconsistent and invited its representatives to a meeting to clarify the legal processes involved.
While the Attorney General proposed a physical meeting, the forum requested a virtual engagement, citing logistical challenges affecting its leadership.
Olamide noted that a virtual meeting would allow broader participation and ensure a more inclusive discussion, given the level of public interest in the case.
Beyond the legal dispute, the forum stressed the importance of confirming whether Adesanya is a licensed nurse, noting that the distinction between a trained professional and an unqualified practitioner is critical.
It disclosed that it has contacted the Ogun State Ministry of Health for verification, with findings expected soon.
Olamide added that if Adesanya is found not to be a registered nurse, authorities should pursue a separate case of medical quackery, while ensuring that justice in the death case is handled fairly and without prejudice.
She also urged authorities to investigate Korede Hospital over allegations that unqualified individuals may be trained and employed as nurses, warning that such practices could endanger public health.
The case continues to draw widespread attention as stakeholders await further developments and official findings.