By Adenike Lawal
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced the killer of Salome Adaidu to death by hanging, bringing a dramatic conclusion to a case that ignited nationwide outrage and intensified calls for justice in cases of gender-based violence.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the presiding judge described the act as “cold-blooded, premeditated, and devoid of humanity,” and ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The accused was found guilty of luring Adaidu under false pretenses before fatally stabbing her.
The brutal murder, which took place in the heart of Abuja, drew widespread condemnation and mobilized advocacy groups across the country.
According to the prosecution, the suspect fled the scene but was apprehended days later through a coordinated operation involving intelligence tracking and eyewitness accounts.
During the trial, the court was presented with forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and call logs that linked the convict to the crime scene.
His plea of innocence collapsed under cross-examination, with the judge dismissing it as “an orchestrated attempt to mislead the court.”
Tears flowed in the courtroom as the judgment was read. Family members of the late Salome Adaidu expressed a mix of sorrow and relief.
“This verdict may not bring Salome back, but it shows that justice is still alive in Nigeria,” her elder brother, Emmanuel Adaidu, told reporters.
Women’s rights activists hailed the ruling as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s fight against femicide.
“This is more than a legal victory; it is a message that violence against women will not be tolerated,” said Halima Yusuf, Director of the Women’s Justice Initiative.
The convict is expected to be transferred to a correctional facility where the sentence will be carried out, pending any appeal.
The tragic death of Salome Adaidu has sparked ongoing national conversations about women’s safety, accountability for violent crimes, and the need for stronger legal protections for vulnerable groups.
