The High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of 24-year-old Salome Adaidu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
Justice Simon Aboki while delivering the judgement on Thursday found Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide, stating that the prosecution had presented overwhelming evidence proving that he intentionally caused the young woman’s death. The court convicted Ajayi under Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in Northern Nigeria, which carries a mandatory death sentence for such an offence.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows that the accused intentionally caused the death of the deceased. The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” the judge declared.
Ajayi was arrested earlier this year after he was caught with the severed head of the victim. Adaidu, who was serving with Nicon Insurance in Abuja at the time, was reportedly murdered in cold blood.
In a chilling interview with Channels TV, Ajayi admitted to the crime and expressed no remorse. “I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time… She was cheating. I saw her chats with other guys. That’s why I decided,” he said. “I don’t have any regrets… life is reciprocal.”
However, in a conflicting statement, the victim’s elder sister, Esther Adaidu, insisted that there was no romantic relationship between Salome and Ajayi.
The case has sparked outrage and sorrow across the country, with many calling for stronger protections for women and more mental health support for young people.
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