By Rafiyat Sadiq
A High Court sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, a gospel singer, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Ajayi, 31, was found guilty of killing Adaidu at his residence in Papaladna village, located in the Karshi Development Area of 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, establishing that the defendant was responsible for the murder.
“The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death,” Justice Aboki declared. “Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging.”
According to the court proceedings, Ajayi had claimed he lost consciousness after spending time with Adaidu and could not recall the events that followed. He further argued that he was not in a sound state of mind when he gave his confessional statement.
However, the court found the statement to be voluntary and consistent with other evidence presented by the prosecution.
Justice Aboki convicted Ajayi under Section 221 of the Penal Code, which prescribes a mandatory death sentence for homicide.
Prosecution Seeks Maximum Punishment
At the previous sitting on May 20, 2025, prosecuting counsel Raymond Umaru urged the court to convict Ajayi and apply the full weight of the law. He cited Exhibit L, the defendant’s confessional statement as critical to the case, stating that it aligned with testimonies provided by other witnesses.
“Our submission is that Exhibit L is in harmony with other facts before the court,” Umaru told journalists after the hearing. “We urge the court to consider the totality of evidence, particularly the confession, in delivering justice.”
Defence Argues Against Conviction
Defence counsel Joseph Tuku-Bisong, however, challenged the evidential value of the materials presented by the prosecution. He referred to Exhibit L (the confessional statement), Exhibit N1 (a machete), and Exhibit N2 (small knives) as lacking probative value.
“Though the exhibits were admitted, we are urging the court not to assign them any probative weight,” he said. “Our prayer remains that the defendant be discharged and acquitted based on the available evidence.”
Despite the defence’s plea, the court ruled that the evidence presented was credible and sufficient to convict the accused.
Following the ruling, the court informed the defence that they have 90 days to file an appeal against the judgment, in accordance with Nigerian law.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.