Salome Adaidu: Murder Suspect Timileyin Ajayi Pleads Not Guilty

Gospel singer Timileyin Ajayi, who was apprehended with the severed head of 24-year-old corps member Salome Eleojo Adaidu, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of culpable homicide after being arraigned at the High Court of Justice in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

Ajayi, 32, was brought before Justice Simon Aboki on Monday and is facing one count of culpable homicide punishable by death, according to Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.

The gospel singer was arrested on Sunday, January 12, 2025, while attempting to dispose of the severed head of Salome, after allegedly killing her and dismembering her body. Reports indicate that Salome had visited Ajayi at his residence in the Papalana area of New Karshi in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

During his interrogation, Ajayi admitted that Salome was his girlfriend but claimed he killed her in a fit of rage after discovering that she had been unfaithful. He further explained that he had learned of her infidelity by reading her phone messages with other men.

While being paraded by the police, Ajayi insisted that his actions were not premeditated, although he expressed no remorse for his crime. “I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time, it’s not something I planned. It happened on that day and it happened. Not that I had the plan in mind, she was cheating. She hides most of the things from me most of the time. I got to know from her phone. I saw her chats with other guys on the phone, that was why I decided,” he said.

The case continues to unfold as the legal process proceeds, with Ajayi maintaining his innocence in the face of the grave accusations.