A High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member, Miss Salome Adaidu.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, June 26, by Justice Simon Aboki found Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide after a detailed examination of the evidence presented.
The judge stated unequivocally that Ajayi intentionally and brutally murdered the corps member, dismembering her body in what he described as a premeditated act of extreme violence.
The conviction was made under Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for individuals found guilty of culpable homicide punishable by death.
Justice Aboki said: “The prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the act with full awareness of its consequences. This was not an accident or a crime of passion—it was a calculated act of murder.”
The case has gripped the public since the incident occurred, given the victim’s status as a serving corps member. Salome Adaidu, a promising young woman in her national service year, was reportedly last seen alive in Ajayi’s company. Investigations revealed that Ajayi not only killed her but also attempted to conceal the crime by mutilating her body.
The court proceedings revealed chilling details of the crime, shocking many and prompting widespread calls for justice from the NYSC community, civil society groups, and members of the public.
Ajayi was arraigned on a one-count charge of culpable homicide. Despite his plea of not guilty, the prosecution, led by the state Ministry of Justice, presented compelling evidence—including forensic findings, witness testimonies, and confessional statements—leading to the court’s decision.
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Reacting to the verdict, members of the victim’s family expressed relief that justice had finally been served, though the emotional scars remain.
“We thank the court for ensuring that Salome did not die in vain. Her future was stolen, but at least the law has spoken,” said a family spokesperson.
The National Youth Service Corps has yet to issue an official statement, but officials familiar with the matter said the organisation had closely followed the case and supported the prosecution.
Justice Aboki also used the ruling as a stern warning to others, stating that society must not condone or excuse acts of violence, particularly those targeting vulnerable individuals such as corps members serving their country.
As the judgment reverberates across the nation, legal analysts have commended the swift handling of the case, which is considered one of the most high-profile NYSC-related murder trials in recent years.
The tragic case has reignited national conversations about the safety of corps members posted to various parts of the country and the need for stronger protective measures during their year of service.
PromptNews
