A gospel singer has been given the death penalty for the brutal murder of his girlfriend.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday, June 25, with Justice Simon Aboki presiding over the case.
The singer, Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, was found guilty of killing Salome Adaidu, who was a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
According to the BBC, Ajayi also dismembered Adaidu in a ruling at the High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The police arrested the gospel singer after he was caught with the dismembered head of Adaidu on Sunday, January 12, near a church in Orozo.
A viral video showed bystanders questioning Ajayi about the human head, where he claimed Adaidu was his girlfriend and that they had been dating for about a year. However, Salome’s family denied this claim.
According to the police, Ajayi allegedly killed Salome when she visited him at his home in the Papalana area of New Karshi, in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Ajayi was reportedly found with the weapons, including a knife and machetes, that he allegedly used to commit the crime.
Salome’s family reacts to judgment
Patience Unekwuojo, a family member, spoke to journalists after the court ruling.
She expressed that while nothing could bring her sister back she was confident that justice had been served.
She stated that God was in control of everything.
She said Salome had big plans for her future, including a professional course she had started at Nicon Insurance. Salome was a 24-year-old.
Salome’s mother also expressed her grief, stating that she considered Salome to be like her late husband and vowed to seek justice for her daughter.
How Ajayi’s case progressed
After Ajayi’s arrest as the prime suspect in Salome’s murder, the case moved to court.
The Adaidu family had called for justice as they mourned their daughter’s tragic death.
The court began the trial, with the judge pushing for an expedited process due to national interest.
Ajayi pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial continued into March 2025, with a scheduled hearing set for March 17-20, 2025.
The final judgment resulted in Ajayi being sentenced to death by hanging.
