Self-acclaimed gospel singer Timileyi Ajayi has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Salome Adaidu, a corp member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
Ajayi, who was arraigned before a Nasarawa State High Court on Monday, claimed he is innocent of the allegations.
Chronicle NG reported that Ajayi was arrested by churchgoers for allegedly killing and dismembering Adaidu for suspected ritual purposes.
Caleb Umaru, the church’s Bible Study Teacher and General Secretary, explained that a member saw Ajayi acting strangely near a river.
He said that the member notified others when Ajayi threw a bag into the river, which was later recovered and discovered to contain his girlfriend’s decapitated head.
Prior to Monday’s hearing, the defendant acknowledged carrying out the crime, expressing no remorse for his actions.
He said that the late Adaidu, who he claimed was his lover, was cheating on him, which made him kill her.
However, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the killing of 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 newsmen after the court proceeding that despite his plea of not guilty to the charge, the police would continue to follow up on the case until justice is served.
Nwaforagu 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.”
His not guilty plea has infuriated Nigerians who in their reactions on popular social media platform, X, demanded justice over the murder of the victim.
Here is how Nigerians reacted to Ajayi’s non-guilty plea.
Daniel Regha, ”May peace be f@r from the lawyers representing that killer, Timileyin Ajayi.”
Obidient Dentist, ”Timileyin Ajayi was caught in the act; he admitted doing it several on live video and interview, only to end up pleading Not Guilty in court.”
Vintage, ”After confessing to the crime on camera , unless it’s another corruption looming from some high places , him and his lawyer are high.”
Dtmlane, ”So, he chose the hard way… I thought he confessed already and why would he plead not guilty after a confession.”
Emmanuel, ”After all evidence and confessions, I honestly won’t be surprised to see him escape justice.”
Opara Isiocha, ”Who is the lawyer that deceived him? Some of these lawyers… why not advise him to plead guilty without wasting the court’s time and then plead for mercy and tell the court that it was a mistake so that he can get his judgement without wasting time?”
Weekly, ”After admitting he cut her head off?
I know what the law will do now: take him to rehab, but honestly that man is staging his defence to look like he’s retarded; they want to get away with this.”
Sariivory, ”He should be the most shameless human being to want to live after now. How will he walk the Earth? Quite funny to plead not guilty after all.”
Isah Ahmadu, ”She didn’t just die at his residence. He massacred her in cold blood and butchered her.”
Abdul Aziz, ”Calling someone that has already confessed that he killed the girl and he doesn’t regret his action a suspect is stupidity. Learn to see a spade as a spade.”
