Gospel Artist Gets Death Sentence Over Corps Member’s Murder
On Thursday, a High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, handed gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi a death sentence by hanging for the murder of NYSC member Salome Adaidu.
Ajayi had earlier confessed to killing Adaidu in January, claiming he acted out of anger after discovering messages on her phone that suggested she was cheating on him. During his confession, he showed no remorse.
“I didn’t plan to kill her,” Ajayi said. “She’s always cheating and hiding things from me. When I saw her chatting with other guys, I got angry and that’s why I killed her.”
In delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Simon Aboki, stated that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt, proving that the defendant deliberately murdered the victim at his residence.
The court dismissed Ajayi’s claims that he lost consciousness after spending time with Adaidu and was not in a stable condition when he gave his confessional statement. Justice Aboki found the defense unconvincing and unsupported by evidence.
Citing Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for murder, the judge issued a clear verdict.
“The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” Justice Aboki declared.
The ruling brings a tragic close to a case that shocked many, involving a young corps member whose life was cut short in the prime of her national service.
