The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has delivered a landmark judgment by sentencing Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the brutal murder of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Salome Adaidu. Justice Simon Aboki ruled that Ajayi was guilty of culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which carries a mandatory death penalty.
The gruesome crime occurred when Salome Adaidu visited Ajayi at his residence in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Karu LGA. After killing her, Ajayi dismembered her body and was arrested on January 12, 2025, while attempting to dispose of her head. The police recovered the knife and machetes used in the crime during his arrest.
During an earlier interview with Channels Television, Ajayi shockingly admitted to the murder, claiming it was unplanned but driven by jealousy. “I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time. It’s not something I planned. She was cheating—I saw her chats with other guys on her phone,” he confessed. When questioned about remorse, Ajayi callously stated, “I don’t have any regrets because life is reciprocal.”
The court’s decision has drawn mixed reactions, with many Nigerians applauding the swift justice served, while others continue to mourn the tragic loss of the young NYSC member. The case has reignited discussions on gender-based violence, mental health awareness, and stricter penalties for violent crimes in Nigeria.
