LAFIA: The High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Salome Adaidu.
Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Aboki ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Ajayi was guilty of culpable homicide.
The convict was charged under Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for such an offense.
Ajayi had been arrested and arraigned for the brutal killing and dismemberment of the late Adaidu, whose death sparked outrage among NYSC members and the public.
The court’s ruling marks the end of a high-profile trial that has drawn national attention due to the tragic loss of a young corps member in service. Justice Aboki emphasized that the severity of the crime warranted the maximum punishment allowed by law.
Salome Adaidu was serving as a corps member in Nasarawa State at the time of her death. The gruesome nature of the crime shocked many and reignited concerns about the safety and welfare of NYSC members across the country.
Though the motive behind the killing was not disclosed in detail during the court session, the prosecution’s account, along with forensic evidence, was sufficient to convince the court of Ajayi’s guilt.
Reactions have begun to pour in from civil society groups and NYSC-related organizations, some of which have renewed calls for improved security and protection for corps members, particularly those serving in volatile or remote regions.
As of press time, there is no official word on whether the convict intends to appeal the judgment.
