Timileyin Ajayi Pleads Not Guilty in Court After Confessing to Killing 24-Year-Old Salome Adaidu in TV Interview

Timileyin Ajayi, a 32-year-old gospel singer, has been arraigned before the Nasarawa State High Court for the brutal murder of 24-year-old Salome Adaidu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He has pleaded not guilty to the charges of culpable homicide, which is punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.

Ajayi’s actions came to light on January 12 when he was found attempting to dispose of Adaidu’s severed head and dismembered body parts. Church members nabbed him in Orozo, near Abuja. Caleb Umaru, the church’s Bible Study Teacher, told reporters that Ajayi threw the bag into a river, but they recovered it and found the head inside. He had reportedly lured Adaidu to his home in the Papalana axis of New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area, where he killed her.

In an interview with Channels TV, Ajayi admitted to the crime and expressed no regret. He claimed to have found evidence of infidelity on Adaidu’s phone. Ajayi said he became enraged and lured her into the bathroom, where he killed her. However, Adaidu’s family stated that their relative was abducted, leading many Nigerians to believe that Ajayi may be a serial killer involved in a human trafficking ring.

Ajayi was arraigned before Justice Simon Aboki on Monday, where the charge of culpable homicide was read to him. He entered a plea of not guilty. The prosecution, led by Stanley Nwaforagwu, noted sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

The court is desirous of giving it an accelerated trial and it is a welcome development. We have overwhelming evidence to sustain the charge and we are optimistic that justice will be done, he explained.

Defence lawyer Joseph Tukur added that his role was to ensure the prosecution proves its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Ajayi has been remanded in the Lafia Custodial Centre as he awaits trial, which has been adjourned to March 17, 2025.

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