By Emeka Blast 
High court sentenced the killer singer oluwatimileyin ajayi to death by hanging
The High Court of Justice in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday, June 26, 2025, sentenced 32-year-old gospel singer Oluwatimileyin “Timi” Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder and dismemberment of 24-year-old NYSC member Salome Adaidu. Justice Simon Aboki found him guilty of culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which carries a mandatory death sentence .
Ajayi was accused of luring Adaidu to his residence in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Karu LGA, where he brutally killed and dismembered her. Witnesses—including neighbours who alerted authorities to suspicious activity—testified during the trial, and the Nasarawa State Government took over prosecution to ensure “a thorough legal pursuit of justice” for the victim’s family .
Throughout the proceedings, Ajayi maintained his plea of not guilty, showing no remorse even after the discovery of Adaidu’s remains. The court record reveals that he was apprehended while allegedly attempting to dispose of her severed head, an act that galvanized youth groups and gender-based violence advocates to call for the maximum penalty .
Nigeria still retains the death penalty for certain crimes, but actual executions are extremely rare, with many condemned inmates spending decades on death row. Ajayi’s legal team has indicated they will file an appeal against both conviction and sentence. Under Nigerian law, the appeal process can take several years, during which the sentence is automatically stayed.
This verdict marks one of the most high-profile capital cases in Nasarawa State’s history. It delivers a measure of closure to Adaidu’s family and sends a stark warning against gender-based violence—though it also reignites debate over the use of capital punishment in Nigeria. Let me know if you’d like more on the appeal process, the broader legal context, or responses from civil-society groups.
