Gospel singer sentenced to death for killing corps member girlfriend, as Lafia High Court finds Oluwatimileyin Ajayi guilty and imposes death by hanging

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] High Court sitting in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, has sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps.

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The 31-year-old Ajayi was found guilty of killing the 24-year-old corps member at his residence in Papaladna village, Karshi Development Area, under Karu Local Government Area.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, the presiding judge, Justice Simon Aboki, ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He dismissed the defendant’s claim that he became unconscious after an intimate moment with the deceased and was not aware of writing a confessional statement.

Justice Aboki ruled, “The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging.”

Ajayi was convicted under Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in Northern Nigeria, which prescribes capital punishment for murder.

The trial, which spanned several months, included multiple exhibits and testimonies. Central to the prosecution’s case was Exhibit L, the defendant’s confessional statement, which was admitted in court without objection.

The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging.

The court also considered two other exhibits — a machete marked Exhibit N_1 and a set of knives labelled Exhibit N_2.

Prosecuting counsel Raymond Umaru, speaking after a previous hearing, urged the court to impose the maximum penalty.

“Exhibit L is consistent with other facts established by the witnesses. We urged the court to look at these evidences together,” he said.

The defence, led by Joseph Tuku-Bisong, questioned the probative value of the exhibits.

“Though they were admitted, we believe they do not prove guilt. Our prayer was for the judge to discharge and acquit the defendant,” Tuku-Bisong said.

However, the court found the confessional statement and supporting evidence credible and sufficient to secure conviction.

The case attracted public attention due to the young ages of both the victim and the convict, as well as the tragic circumstances surrounding a relationship that ended in bloodshed.

Salome Adaidu had reportedly visited Ajayi at his residence shortly before she was murdered.

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With this ruling, the court reaffirmed its stance against gender-based violence and unlawful killing, insisting on full legal consequences for such acts.