High Court Sentences Timilehin Ajayi to Death by Hanging for Brutal Murder of NYSC Member Salome Adaidu
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The High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, a 32-year-old man, to death by hanging for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Salome Adaidu.
Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, Justice Simon Aboki found Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria. The court ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Ajayi willfully and intentionally murdered Adaidu at his residence in the Papalana axis of New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
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Shocking Crime That Gripped the Nation
The case has drawn widespread public outrage since January 2025 when news of the brutal killing emerged. Salome Adaidu, a promising young woman who was serving her mandatory national youth service with NICON Insurance in Abuja, was killed when she visited Ajayi, who was described as her boyfriend.
The horrific crime occurred on January 12, 2025. According to police investigations, Ajayi murdered Salome and proceeded to dismember her body in an attempt to conceal the crime. He was apprehended by operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command while attempting to dispose of her severed head.
During his arrest, Ajayi was paraded before journalists along with the knife and machetes allegedly used to carry out the crime.
Chilling Confession
In a disturbing confession broadcast during a Channels Television interview shortly after his arrest, Ajayi openly admitted to killing Salome. Speaking with chilling composure, he said the crime was not premeditated but happened in the heat of the moment following a quarrel triggered by accusations of infidelity.
“I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time; it’s not something I planned. It happened on that day, and it happened. Not that I had the plan in mind,” Ajayi said.
He went on to accuse Salome of cheating on him, citing messages he found on her phone as the trigger for his violent outburst. When asked if he felt any remorse, his response shocked many viewers nationwide.
“I don’t have any regrets because life is reciprocal; that is what I thought. If you must do something to someone, you have to be reciprocal with that person,” Ajayi declared coldly.
Police and Prosecution’s Case
During the trial, the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, including Ajayi’s confession, forensic findings, and the weapons recovered at the crime scene. Witness testimonies from neighbors, investigating officers, and forensic pathologists painted a harrowing picture of the events that led to Salome’s untimely death.
The court heard how Ajayi lured Salome to his home, killed her in cold blood, and dismembered her body. The prosecution argued that the defendant’s actions were deliberate and malicious, warranting the maximum punishment under the law.
Judge’s Verdict and Sentence
In his ruling, Justice Aboki noted that the nature of the crime was heinous and deeply troubling, stressing that the sanctity of human life must be upheld.
“The prosecution has proven the charge of culpable homicide against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. The court hereby sentences Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging as provided by law,” the judge declared.
Public Reaction
The verdict has been welcomed by human rights advocates, NYSC members, and the general public, many of whom had followed the case closely and demanded justice for Salome.
Reacting shortly after the judgment, spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command described the ruling as “justice served,” expressing hope that it would bring some measure of closure to Salome’s grieving family and friends.
The National Youth Service Corps also issued a statement mourning the tragic loss of one of its members and commending the judiciary for ensuring that justice prevailed.
Background on Victim
Salome Adaidu was known among friends and colleagues as a vibrant, hardworking, and dedicated young woman. Her death, coming at the hands of someone she trusted, has left a lasting scar on the NYSC community and the nation at large.
Closure for the Family
While the judgment cannot bring Salome back, many hope that the ruling serves as a deterrent to violent crimes against women and promotes safer environments for young Nigerians pursuing national service and career opportunities.
As the legal chapter on this tragic case closes, the nation continues to mourn a life cut short by senseless violence.
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