Timileyin Ajayi, the man accused of murdering Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, has been formally arraigned before the High Court of Justice in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
Ajayi, 32, faces charges of culpable homicide punishable by death, under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.
Appearing in court on Monday before Justice Simon Aboki, Ajayi pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the gruesome nature of the crime, which led to the death of Adaidu, a former NYSC member who had been serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja.
According to the police, Ajayi was arrested on Sunday, January 12, 2025, after attempting to dispose of the decapitated head of Adaidu.
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Authorities believe the murder occurred when the victim visited Ajayi’s home in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. The police paraded Ajayi along with the knife and machetes used in the horrific crime.
In an exclusive interview, Ajayi admitted to killing Adaidu, claiming that the murder was not premeditated but resulted from personal issues. He stated, “I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time. It’s not something I planned. It just happened that day.”
He explained that his actions were driven by feelings of betrayal after discovering that Adaidu was allegedly cheating on him. Ajayi revealed that he had found incriminating conversations with other men on her phone, which led to the violent outburst.
When asked if he regretted his actions, Ajayi responded firmly, “No, I don’t have any regrets. Life is reciprocal. If you must do something to someone, you have to understand what that person is going through, so you can put yourself in their shoes. That’s why I don’t have any regrets – because we were actually compatible.”
The case continues to unfold, with the public awaiting further developments.
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