The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging by over the gruesome murder of 26-year-old Salome Adaidu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The presiding judge, Justice Simon Aboki found Timileyin guilty of culpable homicide after months of trial.
Justice Aboki declared that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt, that Timileyin willfully killed and dismembered Adaidu.
Timileyin was convicted under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for culpable homicide.
“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. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” Justice Aboki ruled.
Recall that the gospel singer and fitness enthusiast, Timileyin, was arrested after being caught with the severed head of the victim – Adeidu.
Timileyin, who was known as a multi-talented gospel singer, prolific songwriter, vocalist, and recording and performing artiste, was apprehended near a church in the Orozo area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Videos that made the rounds on social media suggested that Timileyin was seen carrying a black nylon bag with flies following him.
The suspect, said to be from Kabba in Kogi State, was accosted and searched where he was discovered that he was carrying a fresh human head that appeared to be of his girlfriend.
He argued that he and his girlfriend engaged in heated altercations, and she tried to stab him with a knife which resulted in her killing and mutilation.