Gospel singer Ajayi pleads not guilty to girlfriend’s murder

Timileyin Ajayi, the 32-year-old suspected killer of Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, has been arraigned at the high court of justice in Lafia, Nasarawa.

Ajayi, a gospel singer, was charged with culpable homicide punishable by death, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.

However, on Monday, he pleaded not guilty to the allegation during his arraignment before Simon Aboki, the judge.

Ajayi was taken into police custody in Nasarawa on January 12 after he was allegedly found with the severed head of Adaidu, his girlfriend, in a polythene bag.

Adaidu, who served at Nicon Insurance in Abuja, had visited the suspect’s house in the Papalana axis at New Karshi in Karu LGA of Nasarawa.

Ajayi confessed to murdering Adaidu in a fit of anger after discovering she allegedly cheated on him. He also revealed he does not feel remorseful about killing his girlfriend.

“I didn’t plan to kill her. She is always cheating, she hides most things from me. I discovered she was cheating when I saw her phone, so I got angry seeing her chat with other guys, and that’s why I killed her,” he said.

“I do not have any regrets. I do not regret my actions because life is reciprocal. I caught her cheating on me. I told her about it but she denied it until I showed her the chat.

“She admitted and apologised. So, she went to the bathroom, she started some things and I couldn’t take it lightly. I went to the room, took a knife, I held her neck and I did what I had to do.

“I was not caught, I surrendered myself. If I did not want anybody to catch me, I would have done that; it is very simple. It is not a big thing to pay, I’m ready to face the wrath of the law.”

The remains of Adaidu were buried on January 14.