A High Court sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who was serving in the state at the time of her death.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Simon Aboki ruled that Ajayi was guilty of the charge of culpable homicide brought against him. The judge said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, presenting compelling evidence that linked the accused to the brutal killing and dismemberment of the young woman.
Ajayi was arraigned on a one-count charge of culpable homicide, an offence contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code Law applicable in Northern Nigeria. The offence is punishable by death, and the court upheld the maximum sentence, ordering that he be executed by hanging.
Justice Aboki stated that the court was satisfied with the testimony of witnesses, forensic evidence, and the defendant’s own confessional statement. He described the crime as “gruesome, senseless, and deeply troubling,” especially as the victim was a young graduate engaged in national service at the time of her death.
Salome Adaidu, a promising corps member from Benue State, was reported missing in 2023. Her dismembered remains were later discovered, sparking outrage and grief across the country, particularly among the NYSC community. The incident drew widespread condemnation and renewed calls for improved security for corps members serving in volatile regions.
During the trial, the prosecution detailed how Ajayi lured the victim under false pretenses before carrying out the murder. The motive behind the crime, while not fully disclosed during trial proceedings, was characterized by the court as premeditated and executed with a high degree of cruelty.
Reacting to the judgment, members of the public and representatives of the NYSC expressed relief that justice had been served, though the tragic loss of Adaidu remains a painful memory for many.
The court’s decision marks the end of a high-profile trial that captured national attention and reignites conversations around the safety of Nigerian youths participating in the NYSC programme.
