A High Court sitting in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, has delivered a decisive judgment in the highly publicized case involving the brutal killing of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Salome Adaidu. The court sentenced the prime suspect, Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of culpable homicide.
Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Aboki ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution convincingly proved that Ajayi was responsible for the intentional killing and dismemberment of the young corps member. The judge maintained that the heinous nature of the crime left no room for leniency and emphasized that justice must be served both to honor the victim and to deter future occurrences of such violence.
Ajayi was charged with one count of culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code Law applicable in Northern Nigeria, a provision that mandates capital punishment upon conviction. The judge affirmed that the prosecution had successfully established the necessary ingredients of the offense beyond reasonable doubt.
In his final ruling, Justice Aboki declared: “The prosecution has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant, Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of Salome Adaidu.”
The tragic killing of Salome Adaidu, who was serving her country under the NYSC program, sparked widespread national outrage. The incident attracted the attention of numerous civil society groups, youth advocates, and fellow corps members who demanded swift and uncompromising justice. Many had followed the court proceedings closely, hoping that a strong message would be sent to anyone who seeks to harm the nation’s youth.
The judgment has been hailed by several advocacy organizations as a landmark ruling and a step forward in ensuring that justice prevails in crimes committed against innocent and defenseless citizens, particularly young women serving in vulnerable capacities.