LAFIA, Nigeria — The High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the murder of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Salome Adaidu.

Justice Simon Aboki delivered the judgement on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, finding Ajayi guilty of culpable homicide, having deliberately killed and dismembered the victim.

The court held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Ajayi was charged with one count of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code applicable in Northern Nigeria, which prescribes the death penalty for such offences.

The case attracted public attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that the victim was a serving corps member at the time of her death.

Salome Adaidu was posted to Nasarawa State as part of the compulsory national service programme.

Justice Aboki, while delivering the sentence, described the crime as “gruesome and unjustifiable,” adding that the court had no discretion under the law but to impose the mandatory punishment.

Following the judgment, the court ordered that Ajayi be remanded in custody until the sentence is carried out, pending any appeal he may wish to file.

The NYSC and civil society groups have previously called for justice in the case, citing the safety of corps members deployed to various parts of the country.