Nasarawa Court Sentences Gospel Singer to Death for Murder of NYSC Member

🇳🇬 Pidgin Version

<p class="my-6 leading-relaxed text-foreground">A High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has delivered a landmark ruling, sentencing 32-year-old gospel musician Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member. The verdict, announced on Thursday, June 26, 2025, by Justice Simon Aboki, concluded a high-profile trial that shocked the nation.</p><p class="my-6 leading-relaxed text-foreground">Ajayi was found guilty of culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which carries a mandatory death penalty. The court determined that Ajayi deliberately killed and dismembered Adaidu at his residence in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Nasarawa State, on January 11, 2025. The case gained widespread attention after Ajayi was apprehended on January 12, 2025, while attempting to dispose of Adaidu’s severed head in a polythene bag near a church in Orozo, a community bordering the Federal Capital Territory.</p><p class="my-6 leading-relaxed text-foreground">During the trial, the prosecution, led by Raymond Umaru, presented compelling evidence, including Ajayi’s confession, forensic findings, and witness testimonies. Ajayi claimed he acted out of rage after discovering alleged infidelity on Adaidu’s phone, stating in a chilling interview, “I didn’t plan to kill her. She was cheating, and I got angry.” However, Adaidu’s family, including her elder sister Esther, denied any romantic relationship between the two, describing Salome as a dedicated corps member serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja.</p><p class="my-6 leading-relaxed text-foreground">Justice Aboki, in his ruling, described the act as “cold-blooded” and emphasized that the evidence left no doubt of Ajayi’s guilt. “The brutality of this crime demands the full weight of the law,” he stated, sentencing Ajayi to death by hanging. The courtroom was filled with emotion as Adaidu’s relatives expressed relief at the verdict, with her uncle, Samson Adaidu, thanking Nigerians for their support.</p><p class="my-6 leading-relaxed text-foreground">Ajayi’s counsel, Umaru Yunisah, acknowledged the court’s decision but noted that the convict has 90 days to appeal. The ruling has sparked renewed conversations about gender-based violence in Nigeria, with advocacy groups calling for stronger protections for women and corps members.</p><p class="my-6 leading-relaxed text-foreground">The case, which drew national outrage, has now reached a significant milestone, though Ajayi’s potential appeal may prolong the legal process.</p>