Nasarawa High Court Begins Hearing in Alleged Murder of Corps Member

The Nasarawa State High Court 2, sitting in Lafia, on Monday, commenced hearing in the case involving the alleged murder of 24-year-old NYSC member, Salome Adaidu.

The defendant, Oluwatimilehin Ajayi, is accused of killing and dismembering Adaidu, who was said to be his girlfriend.

Ajayi, who has been charged with culpable homicide, pleaded not guilty when the case was called up.

During the hearing, the Prosecution Counsel, Raymond Umaru, presented three key witnesses to the court:

• The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Karshi Police Station
• The Investigating Police Officer handling the case
• Mr. Samson Adaidu, an uncle to the deceased

Umaru also applied to correct the defendant’s name from Timilehin Ajayi to Oluwatimilehin Ajayi in official court records, which the judge granted.

During cross-examination, the defense counsel, Joseph Tukur-Sisong, raised concerns about whether a forensic investigation was conducted to confirm that the dismembered body was indeed that of Salome Adaidu.

In response, Mr. Samson Adaidu told the court that he was able to identify the head of the deceased when it was shown to him in a polythene

In a new development, the Nasarawa State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hauwa Samuel-Jugbo, applied to take over the prosecution of the case from the police, which the court approved.
Justice Simon Aboki ordered that Oluwatimilehin Ajayi be remanded at the Lafia Correctional Centre until the next adjourned date, set for Tuesday, March 18, when the case will continue.