BREAKING: Court hands death sentence to Salome Adaidu’s killer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi

In a landmark ruling, the High Court in Lafia has sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin “Timileyin” Ajayi to death by hanging for the gruesome killing and dismemberment of 24‑year‑old NYSC member Salome Adaidu.

Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Aboki found the 32-year-old Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide, a charge punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.

The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Ajayi murdered and dismembered Adaidu in his home in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area.

“This court finds the accused guilty of culpable homicide and hereby sentences him to death by hanging,” Justice Aboki declared in a packed courtroom.

Grisly Crime Shocks Community

The horrifying incident occurred on January 12, 2025, when Adaidu, who was serving with Nicon Insurance in Abuja, visited Ajayi at his residence.

It was there that he allegedly murdered and dismembered her body. He was apprehended by police while attempting to dispose of her severed head.

Police later paraded Ajayi along with a bloodstained knife and machetes believed to have been used in the crime.

The brutality of the act stunned the public and sparked outrage on social media.

Chilling Confession and Absence of Remorse

In a disturbing interview with Channels Television, Ajayi admitted to the murder, claiming that jealousy and mistrust had driven him to the act.

“I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time. It’s not something I planned… I saw her chats with other guys on her phone,” he said.

Even more chilling was his lack of remorse: “I don’t have any regrets… life is reciprocal… if you must do something to someone, you have to be reciprocal.”

The deceased's family reacts

At the heart of the matter, the family of the slain NYSC corps member denied any connection between her and her alleged killer, Timileyin Ajayi.

Esther Adaidu, Salome’s elder sister, expressed disbelief at the association, stating, “This so-called Timi guy, we don’t know him. We have never seen him until we were told he murdered and dismembered our sister.”

She called for justice, adding, “He admitted to me that he killed her. Justice must be served.”

Salome’s uncle, Samson Adaidu, echoed the family’s sentiments. He described the gruesome nature of the crime, revealing, “He butchered her into more than 50 pieces and packed them in six polythene bags. It’s unimaginable.”

Gospel singer’s father begs for son’s release in murder scandal

Meanwhile, parents of the accused spoke out, expressing contrasting views on their son’s predicament.

In an emotional appeal, his father, Sunday Ajayi, pleaded for leniency.

“I want government make dem help me make the matter settle abeg. Make dem help me try to beg the people make una leave am,” he said, his voice heavy with sorrow.

However, Timileyin’s mother, Dorcas Ajayi, expressed a more resigned perspective, acknowledging the gravity of the alleged crime.

“Had it been it’s one of my daughters they did that to, how do I feel? So I don’t know. Anything the government wants to do, everything is in their hands,” she said, seemingly leaving the decision to the authorities.

A Tragic End to a Young Life

Salome Adaidu’s death sent shockwaves through the NYSC community and beyond, with calls for justice echoed nationwide.

Her family, who attended the court session, expressed relief at the judgment, saying justice had finally been served.

“She was full of life and had dreams,” a family spokesperson said, “and now those dreams have been shattered by this senseless act.”

Ajayi is to remain in custody pending the completion of the necessary legal procedures for his execution.

Lessons learnt

As the gavel falls and the death sentence is pronounced for Ajayi, a chilling finality settles over the courtroom. This verdict, a decisive declaration of justice by the state, undeniably brings a measure of closure to the grieving family of Salome Adaidu, a vibrant young life tragically cut short.

Yet, beyond the immediate relief for those directly impacted, this judgment compels us to confront profound questions about retribution, rehabilitation, and the very essence of human dignity.

Does the ultimate penalty truly serve as a deterrent, or does it merely perpetuate a cycle of violence, albeit within the confines of the law? We are forced to reflect on the societal conditions that can lead to such heinous acts and the mechanisms, or lack thereof, to address the deep-seated malice that drives them.

As a community, we must ponder whether our pursuit of justice extends to a deeper understanding of crime's roots and a commitment to preventing future tragedies.

While the legal chapter on this horrific crime may close, the ethical and moral imperative to safeguard every life and understand the fragility of our shared humanity remains wide open.

The true measure of justice lies not only in punishment but in our collective resolve to foster a society where such brutal acts become unthinkable.