Gospel singer Ajayi sentenced to death for murder of corp member in Nasarawa

A high court in Lafia has sentenced gospel singer Timileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, in a ruling that has drawn national attention.

Justice Simon Aboki, presiding over the case, found Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide, an offence punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in northern Nigeria. The judgment followed months of legal proceedings after Ajayi was arrested in January under horrifying circumstances.

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The accused was apprehended at Agwan Sarki, Orozo — a community on the border between Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) — carrying the severed head of Adaidu in a polythene bag.

His arrest came after concerned residents alerted security operatives to suspicious behaviour.
During police interrogation, Ajayi confessed to the murder, claiming he acted in a fit of rage after allegedly discovering that Adaidu had been unfaithful to him.

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“I didn’t plan to kill her,” he reportedly told investigators. “She was always hiding things and cheating. When I saw her chatting with other guys on her phone, I got angry and killed her.”

Despite the confession, Ajayi entered a plea of not guilty when formally charged with culpable homicide. The prosecution, however, presented compelling evidence, including his own recorded statements and witness testimonies, which led to his conviction.

The family of the deceased strongly disputed Ajayi’s claim of a romantic relationship with Salome, insisting she was never involved with the singer. “He was obsessed with her,” one family member said outside the courtroom. “But she never dated him. She didn’t even know him beyond passing acquaintance.”

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Salome Adaidu was serving her mandatory one-year national service at the time of her death. Her murder shocked the local community and sparked public outrage over violence against women.

Delivering his verdict, Justice Aboki stated that the evidence against the accused was “overwhelming and damning,” leaving no room for reasonable doubt. He concluded that Ajayi acted with intent and malice, and deserved the maximum penalty provided by law.

Ajayi is to be executed by hanging, pending the outcome of any appeal.