Timilehin Ajayi, a GOSPEL singer, has entered a not guilty plea despite having previously admitted to the murder of Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member stationed in Abuja.
According to Section 221 of the Penal Code, Ajayi, 32, was charged with culpable homicide, which carries a death sentence, and was arraigned before the Nasarawa State High Court on January 17.
Prior to more hearings, the court mandated that Ajayi be placed under detention at the Lafia Correctional Facility.
Transporting Adaidu’s severed head in a polythene bag led to Ajayi’s arrest on January 12 in New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area.
After killing the victim at his home, he reportedly dismembered her body into almost fifty parts, according to police investigations. He was reportedly motivated by jealousy over allegations of infidelity.
Ajayi confessed to the crime during his parade at the Nasarawa State Police Command headquarters, saying he killed Adaidu during her visit because he was jealous and suspected of being unfaithful.
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The bones were placed in plastic bags after he confessed to mutilating her body with a knife and machete.
Because we don’t always have each other, I killed her. My intention was not to do this. The event took place on that particular day. I wasn’t planning on it; she was being unfaithful.
But when Ajayi entered a not guilty plea at his court appearance on Monday, January 27, advocacy organizations and Adaidu’s family called for justice, sparking public indignation.
