A High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin “Timileyin” Ajayi to death by hanging after finding him guilty of killing and dismembering his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu.
Justice Simon Aboki, who presided over the case, convicted Ajayi under Section 221 of the Northern Nigeria Penal Code, a charge of culpable homicide carrying the death penalty .
What Happened?
Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old NYSC member, was brutally murdered on January 12, 2025, in Ajayi’s residence in New Karshi, Nasarawa State. Investigations revealed that the gospel singer killed and dismembered her .
The victim, who was serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja, was laid to rest in mid-January, and the shocking manner of her death stunned Nigerians.
The Court Verdict
Ajayi faced a single count of culpable homicide, in violation of Nigerian law. During the court proceedings, sufficient evidence — including witness statements — persuaded Justice Aboki to impose the maximum sentence under current legal statutes
Why This Case Matters
- High-profile conviction: A conviction of a public figure, especially a gospel singer, for a crime this heinous, sends shockwaves through Nigerian society.
- Domestic violence issues: This tragic case highlights the urgent need for conversations around intimate partner violence and mental health.
- Legal precedent: The sentence under Section 221 emphasises that the Nigerian legal system enforces the full weight of the law, even in emotionally-charged cases.
This verdict is a grim reminder of the darkness that can lie behind seemingly normal relationships. As Nigeria grapples with rising cases of domestic violence, the government and civil society must ramp up efforts to protect vulnerable individuals.
Salome Adaidu’s life — cut tragically short — demands justice. With the court’s decision rendered, it is now imperative for policymakers, religious leaders, and communities to rally together and address the root causes of such violence.
