The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of Salome Adaidu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps.
He faced a single charge of culpable homicide, in violation of Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty.
Justice Simon Aboki, who delivered the judgment, found Ajayi guilty of murdering and dismembering Adaidu.
He was charged with a single count of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which carries the death penalty.
Justice Aboki noted that Ajayi was convicted under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for persons guilty of such an offence.
“The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” Justice Aboki ruled.
The Nigerian Police had arrested Ajayi after he was caught by churchgoers in Orozo, a border community between Abuja and Nasarawa, carrying a polybag containing the severed head of the victim.
Further investigation reportedly led to the discovery of the remaining body parts inside his apartment in New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area of the state.
Salome was said to have been killed during a visit to Ajayi’s residence.
In a viral post-arrest interview, Ajayi confessed to the crime, saying the act was not premeditated but carried out in a fit of jealousy.
“I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time. It’s not something I planned. It happened on that day, and it happened. Not that I had the plan in mind, she was cheating.
“She hides most of the things from me most time. I got to know from her phone. I saw her chats with other guys on the phone, that was why I decided,” he said
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