Gospel singer Timileyin Ajayi has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, at his residence in Nasarawa State.
The suspect, who was arrested by the Nasarawa State Police Command on January 12, appeared before Justice Simeon Aboki at Court 2 in Lafia on Monday, charged with culpable homicide punishable by death.
Ajayi’s not-guilty plea comes weeks after he reportedly confessed to killing Adaidu, stating he had no regrets as he suspected her of infidelity. This initial confession drew widespread outrage and prompted calls for justice. Meanwhile, Ajayi’s father has since appealed to the government to temper justice with mercy in the case against his son.
The Officer-in-Charge, Legal, of the Nasarawa State Police Command, Stanley Nwaforagu, confirmed to journalists that Ajayi denied the charge during his arraignment.
Nwaforagu added that the court had set March 17 to 20 as dates for the commencement of trial, stating that the police are committed to ensuring justice is served in the case.
“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,” Nwaforagu said.
He further noted that the court had expressed a desire for an accelerated trial, a development the police welcomed. “We have overwhelming evidence to sustain the charge, and we are optimistic that justice will be done,” Nwaforagu assured.
Meanwhile, Ajayi’s defense counsel, Joseph Tukur, stated that his role was to ensure the prosecution adheres strictly to the law in proving their case.
Speaking after the arraignment, Tukur said, “It is not my place to prove the case; it is my place to defend him. The work of the defense counsel is to ensure that the prosecution proves the case beyond reasonable doubt.”
Tukur also confirmed that the court hearing would proceed as scheduled in March. “Today was basically for arraignment, and as the law demands, he has entered his plea already. We now await the trial dates for hearing,” he added.