Court sentences gospel singer Ajayi to death for murder of corps member

A high court in Lafia, Nasarawa state, has sentenced Timileyin Ajayi, a gospel singer, to death by hanging for killing Salome Adaidu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Simon Aboki, the judge, pronounced Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide punishable by death, in line with Section 221 of the Penal Code of northern Nigeria.

In January, Ajayi had confessed to murdering Adaidu in a fit of anger after she allegedly cheated on him. He also showed no remorse.

“I didn’t plan to kill her. She is always cheating, she hides most things from me. I discovered she was cheating when I saw her phone, so I got angry seeing her chat with other guys, and that’s why I killed her,” he said.

BACKGROUND

The gospel singer was charged with culpable homicide punishable by death.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In January, Ajayi was arrested after he was caught with the severed head of Adaidu in a polythene bag at the Agwan Sarki, Orozo, a border area between Nasarawa and the federal capital territory (FCT).

During interrogation, Ajayi confessed to the crime and claimed that he dated the deceased for one year before her death.

However, the deceased’s family countered Ajayi, saying their daughter was never the girlfriend of the gospel singer.