Salome Adaidu: Timileyin Ajayi pleads not guilty to murder of corp member

Timileyin Ajayi, accused of murdering Salome Adaidu, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of culpable homicide punishable by death, as instituted by the Police.

Ajayi was arraigned before Justice Simeon Aboki at Court 2 in Lafia on Monday, where he denied the allegations brought against him.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, Stanley Nwaforagu, the Officer-in-Charge, Legal, of the Nasarawa State Police Command, assured that the Police would continue to diligently pursue the case to ensure justice is served.

He said, “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. And a date was set for trial. The case is now adjourned to the 17th to 20th day of March for trial.

“The court is desirous of giving it a speedy, 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.”

On his part, counsel to the defendant, Joseph Tukur, pledged to follow up on the case for his client (Ajayi) until the law is fulfilled.

“Today was basically for arraignment. And as the law demands, he has entered his plea already, so we have taken a day for hearing,” Tukur added.

The defence counsel said it is not out of place to defend an alleged murder case, but to ensure that the prosecution does their own work legally, which is to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.