Timileyin Ajayi Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of Salome Adaidu

Timileyin Ajayi, the suspect in the murder of National Youth Service Corps member Salome Adaidu, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of culpable homicide punishable with death.

According to PUNCH ONLINE, Ajayi was arraigned before Justice Simeon Aboki at Court 2 in Lafia on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Recall that Nasarawa State Police Command arrested Ajayi on January 12, for the murder of Adaidu, which occurred at his residence a few weeks ago.

The Police stated that despite Ajayi’s plea of not guilty, they will continue to follow up on the case until justice is served.

Stanley Nwaforagu, the Officer-in-Charge, Legal, of the Nasarawa State Police Command, 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.”

Counsel to the defendant, Joseph Tukur, assured that he would follow up on the case until the law is fulfilled. “Today was basically for arraignment. And as the law demands, he has entered his plea already, so we have taken a day for hearing.”

When asked about how the case will be proven despite earlier comments made by Ajayi, Tukur responded, “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.”