The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced gospel musician Timileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, June 26, Justice Simon Aboki found the 32-year-old singer guilty of culpable homicide, citing compelling evidence that Ajayi deliberately killed the victim. The ruling was based on Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in northern Nigeria.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows that the accused intentionally caused the death of the deceased. The law is clear on this, and the punishment is death,” Justice Aboki stated.
Confession and Background
Ajayi’s conviction follows his January 2025 confession to killing Adaidu after discovering messages on her phone, which he claimed proved infidelity. In an interview with Channels TV, Ajayi said he had no regrets about his actions.
“I killed her because she was cheating. I don’t regret it. Life is reciprocal,” he said, also admitting he had not planned the murder.
Police later found severed body parts in his possession. He was held in the custody of the Nasarawa State Criminal Investigation Department before trial.
Ajayi’s lack of remorse and graphic confession shocked the public and drew condemnation from rights groups and religious leaders alike.
