By Bukola Kayode
Timilehin Ajayi, the gospel singer currently facing trial over the murder of an NYSC member, Salome Adaidu has pleaded not-guilty.
Ajayi dismembered Salome, who he claimed to be his girlfriend, when she visited him at his house in the Papalana axis at New Karshi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The 32-year-old suspect was first arraigned at the Nasarawa State High Court in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital on Friday, January 17. 2025.
He was arraigned on one count charge of Culpable Homicide punishable with Death, contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.
Nasarawa Police said the suspect pleaded not guilty to the killing of Salome Adaidu when he was arraigned before Justice Simeon Aboki at Court 2 in Lafia on Monday.
The Officer-in-Charge, Legal, of the Nasarawa State Police command, Stanley Nwaforagu, told journalists after the court proceeding that despite his plea of not guilty to the charge, the police has overwhelming evidence to prove their case.
He said, “Today, the 27th day of January 2025, the defendant, Mr Timileyin Ajayi, was properly arraigned before this Honourable court on the one count charge of culpable homicide punishable with death.
“His plea was taken and he pleaded not guilty to the charge. And a date was set for trial. The case is now adjourned to the 17th to 20th day of March for trial.
“The court is desirous of giving it a speedy, accelerated trial and it is a welcome development. We have overwhelming evidence to sustain the charge and we are optimistic that justice will be done.”
On his part, counsel to the defendant, Joseph Tukur, said: “Today was basically for arraignment. And as the law demands, he has entered his plea already, so we have taken a day for hearing.”
Responding to how the case will be proven despite the earlier comments made by his client on the matter, he said, “It is not my place to prove the case. It is my place to defend him.
“The work of the defence counsel is to ensure that the prosecution does their own work legally well which is to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. So I am here to make sure that the law is fulfilled.”
Be the first to comment