The incident happened in Papaladna village within the Karshi Development Area, where Salome had gone to visit Ajayi at his home. It was during that visit that her life was tragically cut short.
Delivering judgment at the High Court in Lafia, the presiding judge stated that the evidence presented clearly showed that Ajayi was responsible for the killing. The defense had claimed he lost consciousness after spending time with Salome and was unaware of the confession he reportedly gave to police. However, the court rejected that explanation, saying it lacked credibility.
The judge ruled that Ajayi’s actions violated Section 221 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty for murder.
“The law is clear, and the punishment is death. Therefore, the accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” the judge declared.
Prosecutors had urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, presenting a confessional statement and physical evidence recovered from the scene, including a machete and knives. They argued that these were consistent with testimonies from other witnesses.
Ajayi’s defense team tried to cast doubt on the strength of that evidence, asking the court not to place weight on the confession or weapons presented. They had asked for his acquittal, but the court ultimately disagreed.
The judgment brought an end to a long legal battle and delivered a measure of justice for Salome, whose promising life was brutally taken.
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