Nasarawa High Court begins hearing in alleged corps member’s murder

The Nasarawa State High Court 2, sitting in Lafia, commenced proceedings on Monday in the case concerning the alleged murder of 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps member, Salome Adaidu.

The defendant, Oluwatimilehin Ajayi, stands accused of killing and dismembering Adaidu, who was reportedly his girlfriend. Charged with culpable homicide, Ajayi pleaded not guilty.

During the hearing, the prosecution, led by Counsel Raymond Umaru, presented three witnesses, including the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Karshi Police Station, the investigating officer handling the case, and the deceased’s uncle, Mr Samson Adaidu.

Umaru also requested an amendment to the defendant’s name, changing it from Timilehin Ajayi to Oluwatimilehin Ajayi, citing the need for accuracy in the pursuit of justice. The court granted this request.

During cross-examination, the defence counsel, Joseph Tukur-Sisong, questioned whether forensic investigations had been conducted to confirm that the dismembered body was indeed that of the deceased. In response, Samson stated that he identified the head of the deceased when it was retrieved from a polythene bag and shown to him.

Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Hauwa Samuel-Jugbo, applied for and secured the court’s approval to take over the prosecution from the police.

Justice Simon Aboki subsequently ordered that the defendant remain in custody at the Lafia Correctional Centre until the next hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, 18 March, for further proceedings.