The High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced 32-year-old gospel musician Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the brutal murder of 24-year-old Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
Justice Simon Aboki, delivering judgment on June 26, 2025, found him guilty of culpable homicide punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria. The section prescribes the death penalty for individuals found guilty of intentionally causing another person’s death.
According to court records, Salome Adaidu, who was serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja, was murdered during a visit to Oluwatimileyin’s residence in Papaladna village, located in the Karshi Development Area of Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. He was caught in January with her severed head and later confessed on live television to the murder without showing any remorse.
During the trial, prosecution counsel Raymond Umaru called three witnesses to testify, including the Divisional Police Officer of the Karshi Police Station, the investigating officer handling the case, and Mr. Samson Adaidu, the deceased’s uncle.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows that the accused intentionally caused the death of the deceased,” Justice Aboki stated. “The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging.”
Following the sentencing news, feminists have used social media to express their reactions. Scientist Kaine Victory Johnson wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“A win for justice, a sad reminder of our broken society. No woman deserves to die like Salome. May we continue to speak up and fight for every silenced voice.”
Princess Adeola added, “They should make a video of it and show us. Good thing justice prevailed.”
