The Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice has submitted a formal request to Governor Abdullahi Sule, seeking approval for the execution of Oluwatimileyin Ajayi — a gospel singer convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Confirming the development, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Danladi Isaac, stated that the move followed the expiration of Ajayi’s appeal window.
Ajayi, 31, was sentenced to death by hanging on June 26, 2025, by a High Court in Lafia after being found guilty of a brutal killing that drew nationwide attention.
According to Isaac, the convict had a 90-day period to appeal the judgment, which ended on September 26, 2025, without any legal challenge being filed.
“With the appeal period concluded, the Ministry has initiated the constitutional procedure to obtain the governor’s final approval for the execution,” the Attorney-General said.
Ajayi was arrested in January 2025 after he was caught by church members carrying the severed head of his 24-year-old girlfriend, Salome, in Karu Local Government Area of the state. Her mutilated remains were later recovered from Ajayi’s apartment in New Karshi.
During the trial, the defendant admitted to killing Salome out of jealousy after discovering messages on her phone.
Justice Simon Aboki, who presided over the case, convicted Ajayi of culpable homicide punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code, ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The murder, which shocked the nation, sparked widespread outrage and renewed advocacy for stronger protection of women and members of the NYSC serving across the country.
