Updated: Corps member Adaidu’s murder: Ample evidence proves intentional killing – Judge

Justice Simon Aboki of the High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, said on Thursday that the weighty evidence presented in court in the case of NYSC member, Salome Adaidu’s murder conclusively proved Oluwatimileyin Ajayi intentionally caused Adaidu’s death.

He said consequently the accused is found guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to death by hanging.

Ajayi 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.

Persecondnews reports that Adaidu, aged 24, was undertaking her NYSC service at NICON Insurance in Abuja before her tragic death.

Ajayi was apprehended by churchgoers on Sunday, January 12 in Orozo, a community bordering the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Nasarawa State.

He was found in possession of a polybag containing the dismembered body of the girl.

Ajayi had told the police and newsmen that he had no regrets killing the youth corps member during interrogation.

He said: “I killed her because we do not have each other all the time. It is not something I planned. It happened on that day and it happened. Not that I have the plan in mind.

“She was cheating. She hides most of the things from me most times. I got to know from her phone. I saw her chats with other guys on the phone, that was why I decided.

“I do not have any regrets because life is reciprocal, that is what I thought. If you must do something to someone, you have to be reciprocal with that person.

“You have to understand what that person is going through so that you can actually put yourself in the position that the person is going through. That is why I do not have any regrets because we were actually compatible.”

However, the victim’s elder sister, Esther Adaidu, denied that there was any relationship between Adaidu and Ajayi.