Timileyin Ajayi, the suspected killer of Salome Adaidu, has pleaded not guilty after been arraigned at the High Court of Justice, Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
He is facing one count of culpable homicide, punishable by death, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.
The suspect was found in possession of the severed head of Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC member.
He had admitted to the crime, claiming that he killed Adaidu after discovering she was cheating on him.
Timileyin was arraigned on Monday before Justice Simon Aboki and the case has been adjourned from 17th to 20th March for trial.
The prosecuting counsel Stanley Nwaforagwu, while speaking to journalists after the arraignment, said, “The defendant, Timileyin Ajayi was properly arraigned before the High Court of Justice, Lafia on a 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 17 to 20th March for trial.
“The court is desirous of giving it an 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.”
The Defense Counsel, Joseph Tukur, said, “Today was basically for arraignment and as the law demands he has entered his plea already. So, we have taken a date for hearing. It is not my place to prove the case, it’s my place to defend him, the work of the defence counsel is to ensure that the prosecution does their work legally well which is to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. I am here to make sure that the law is fulfilled.”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jibrin Okutekpa led the team of lawyers for the family of the deceased. He said, “We are watching brief for the family of the deceased. We are not here for the defendant and this is a serious matter of national importance and we are here to see that justice is done.”
