A Nasarawa State High Court in Lafia has commenced hearing of the murder case against a gospel singer, Oluwatimilehin Daniel Ajayi, for allegedly killing and dismembering a corps member, Miss Salome Adaidu.
Recall that the Nasarawa State government, through the state attorney general, Hauwa Samuel Jugbo, had applied and taken over the prosecution of the case from the police.
On Monday, Mr Ajayi arrived at the court premises under heavy security from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
He pleaded not guilty to the charge of culpable homicide, punishable with death, before the presiding judge, Justice Simeon Aboki.
During the proceeding, prosecution counsel Raymond Umar sought to amend the defendant’s name from Timilehin Ajayi to his full name, Oluwatimilehin Daniel Ajayi.
Justice Aboki granted the motion after confirming the name of the accused.
The prosecution counsel later presented three witnesses before the court, including the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Karshi Police Station and the deceased’s uncle, Mr Adaidu Samson.
However, counsel to the defendant, Joseph Bisong, while cross-examining the witnesses, sought to know if the forensic investigation was carried out to ascertain if the dismembered body was that of Adaidu.
Responding, the uncle of the deceased, Adaidu Samson, said he recognised his niece’s severed head when it was brought out from the polythene bag and shown to him.
After listening to the two parties, the presiding judge, Justice Simon Aboki, adjourned the sitting for todday to continue the hearing.
