By Ghazali Ibrahim
In a remarkable judgment that has drawn national attention, the High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the brutal murder of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Salome Adaidu.
The trial, which captivated the public for months, came to a close as Justice Simon Aboki declared Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide, describing the crime as inhuman and calculated.
Ajayi was charged under Section 221 of the Penal Code, which prescribes the death penalty for such offences.
The tragic incident unfolded in January 2025, when Salome, a young corps member serving in Nasarawa State, visited Ajayi at his home in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Karu Local Government. She never returned.
Days later, Ajayi was arrested while allegedly trying to dispose of her severed head.
According to police findings, Ajayi had murdered and dismembered Salome with a knife and machete, both of which were recovered at the scene.
His televised confession stunned viewers across the nation, as he admitted to killing her out of jealousy, citing suspicions of infidelity.
“I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time… she was cheating,” Ajayi confessed in an interview with Channels Television.
He also showed no remorse, claiming, “I don’t have any regrets… life is reciprocal.”
Salome’s gruesome murder triggered outrage across Nigeria, especially within the NYSC community and women’s rights groups, who demanded justice and called for stronger protections for young women.
Legal analysts have hailed the verdict as a critical step in reinforcing the rule of law and deterring gender-based violence.
“This judgment sends a clear message that such horrific acts will not go unpunished,” said one legal expert in Lafia.
“The court has spoken firmly for justice, not only for Salome but for every vulnerable woman in Nigeria.”
