A High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu. The tragic incident occurred in Papaladna village, Karshi Development Area, when the 24-year-old victim, a serving corps member, visited Ajayi at his residence. The 31-year-old convict was found guilty after a lengthy trial.
Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Aboki ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. Ajayi’s defense that he was unconscious after spending time with his girlfriend and thus unaware of writing a confessional statement was dismissed as unconvincing by the court.
The judge cited Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which mandates the death penalty for murder. Justice Aboki emphasized that the law is explicit on the punishment and therefore sentenced Ajayi to death by hanging.
Prosecuting counsel Raymond Umaru had earlier urged the court to uphold the law, highlighting the consistency of the defendant’s confessional statement, marked as Exhibit L, with other evidence presented by witnesses. He called for the maximum sentence allowed under the law.
In defense, Ajayi’s counsel, Joseph Tuku-Bisong, challenged the probative value of the exhibits used against his client, including the confessional statement and weapons allegedly used in the murder. He argued for the defendant’s acquittal, but the court ultimately rejected the plea and found Ajayi guilty.
