By Hassanat Adebowale
The Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Lafia has commenced hearings in the case of Oluwatimilehin Ajayi, who is accused of the gruesome murder and dismemberment of Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, believed to have been his girlfriend.
Ajayi, charged with culpable homicide, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out in court. During Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution, led by Raymond Umaru, presented three witnesses, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from Karshi Police Station, the investigating officer handling the case, and the uncle of the deceased, Mr. Samson Adaidu.
The court granted a prosecution request to amend the defendant’s name from Timilehin Ajayi to Oluwatimilehin Ajayi for clarity and accuracy. During cross-examination, the defense counsel, Joseph Tukur-Sisong, questioned whether a forensic investigation had been conducted to confirm that the dismembered body belonged to the deceased. Responding to this, Samson Adaidu testified that he identified the head of his late niece when it was presented to him in a polythene bag.
In a significant development, the Nasarawa State Government, through Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Hauwa Samuel-Jugbo, successfully applied to take over the prosecution of the case from the police. This move underscores the high level of interest in ensuring justice is served in the matter.
Justice Simon Aboki, who is presiding over the trial, ordered that the defendant remain in custody at the Lafia Correctional Centre until the next hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, March 18. The judge emphasized the need for a swift but thorough examination of the case.
GI’s Legal Corner
Under Nigerian criminal law, culpable homicide is a severe offense punishable by death or life imprisonment under Section 221 of the Penal Code. Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the prosecution will need strong forensic evidence to secure a conviction.
This highlights how essential forensic investigation can be in murder cases, especially those involving dismemberment.
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