Timileyin Ajayi, the suspected murderer of Salome Adaidu has pleaded not guilty to the killing of the National Youth Service Corps member who died a few weeks ago at his residence.
The Nasarawa State Police command had arrested him on January 12 and charged him to court for culpable homicide punishable with death.
According to the Police, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the killing of Salome Adaidu when he was arraigned before Justice Simeon Aboki at Court 2 in Lafia on Monday.
The Officer-in-Charge, Legal, of the Nasarawa State Police command, Stanley Nwaforagu, told newsmen after the court proceeding that despite his plea of not guilty to the charge, the police will continue to follow up on the case until justice is served.
Nwaforagu 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, assured him 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.”
Responding to how the case will be proven despite the earlier comments made by his client on the matter, he said, “It is not my place to prove the case. It is my place to defend him.
“The work of the defence counsel is to ensure that the prosecution does their own work legally well which is to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. So I am here to make sure that the law is fulfilled.”
(PUNCH)