A High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, 31, to death by hanging for the murder of a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Salome Adaidu. Justice Simon Aboki delivered the ruling on Thursday after the court found Ajayi guilty of killing Adaidu at his home in Papaladna village, Karshi Development Area, Karu Local Government.
The judge stated that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court noted that Ajayi admitted in his confessional statement to having been with the victim before claiming he became unconscious. Justice Aboki, referencing Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, ruled that the punishment for the crime is clear and mandatory.
During a previous court session on May 20, 2025, prosecuting counsel Raymond Umaru urged the court to consider the defendant’s confession and supporting witness testimonies. He highlighted “exhibit L,” Ajayi’s confessional statement, as consistent with other evidence and asked the court to impose the maximum sentence.
On the defence side, counsel Joseph Tuku-Bisong questioned the value of the three exhibits presented, including the confession, a machete, and small knives. He argued that the court should not rely on them for judgment and called for Ajayi’s acquittal.
Despite the defence’s objections, the court ruled in favour of the prosecution, concluding that the evidence clearly established Ajayi’s guilt.
