“He Prayed Before the Judge: Gospel Singer Timilehin Ajayi's Courtroom Plea Shocks Onlookers

In a moment that left courtroom observers stunned, Nigerian gospel singer Timilehin Ajayi was spotted praying fervently just moments before the resumption of his murder trial at a Nasarawa State High Court on Tuesday. Clad in a white long-sleeved shirt and visibly solemn, the young musician knelt quietly in a corner of the courtroom, eyes tightly shut, lips moving in silent supplication, oblivious to the attention his actions were drawing. For a man accused of one of the most gruesome crimes in recent memory—the alleged murder and dismemberment of his 24-year-old girlfriend, Salome Adaidu—the spiritual display appeared both unsettling and ironic to many in attendance.

Timilehin, once known for his soulful worship songs and uplifting performances in churches and Christian gatherings, now stands accused of ending the life of a young woman full of promise. Salome Adaidu was a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member posted to Nicon Insurance in Abuja, and according to the prosecution, she had visited Timilehin’s residence in the Papalana area of New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, where her life was tragically cut short.

Reports indicate that the police arrested Timilehin on January 12 while he was allegedly attempting to dispose of Salome’s dismembered remains. What’s more chilling is that sources close to the investigation claim that the singer expressed no remorse during initial questioning. Instead, he allegedly accused Salome of being unfaithful multiple times, a justification many have called deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable in the face of such a brutal act.

The courtroom was tense as the hearing resumed, with journalists, legal practitioners, and curious members of the public packed into the gallery. But it was the brief viral video of Timilehin praying—leaked shortly after the court session began—that reignited a firestorm on social media. In the clip, now making the rounds on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp statuses, he appears to be mumbling scriptures, his hands clenched tightly, and his face bearing an expression of both fear and desperation. Some netizens were quick to label it a “performance,” accusing the singer of attempting to sway public sympathy through a display of piety. Others, however, found themselves conflicted, debating the place of grace, forgiveness, and repentance—even in the darkest of circumstances.

Legal experts have warned that while public emotion around the case is intense, the court must remain grounded in facts and evidence. According to insiders, the trial is still in its early stages, and the prosecution is expected to present more damning details in the coming weeks. The defense, on the other hand, has remained largely silent since the arraignment, with Timilehin’s lead counsel declining to comment on his client’s courtroom prayer or the growing backlash online.

Salome Adaidu’s family, still reeling from the loss, has not made any public statements in response to the video. Friends and former colleagues of the slain NYSC member have taken to social media to express their outrage and heartbreak, painting a picture of a vibrant, hardworking, and cheerful young woman who had dreams of working in the insurance industry full-time after her service year. “She was full of life, always smiling. I can’t believe she died like that,” one of her friends wrote on Instagram. “This man doesn’t deserve to be on his knees praying. He should be begging for justice, not mercy.”

As the trial progresses, the public is likely to witness a clash of legal argument, moral debate, and spiritual reflection. The image of a gospel singer praying inside the very courtroom where he is being tried for murder is already seared into the minds of Nigerians. It raises profound questions: can a person still call on God when accused of the most heinous sin? Is the prayer a genuine cry for redemption or a calculated move to soften the image of an alleged killer?

Religious leaders have weighed in, with some stating that God’s mercy is available to all, regardless of their transgressions, while others insist that justice for the victim must come first. A Lagos-based pastor told reporters, “Yes, God forgives. But man must also face the consequences of his actions. You can’t take a life and think a prayer will erase it.”

Timilehin Ajayi's fall from grace has been swift and painful. Just months ago, he was celebrated in local churches, booked for crusades, and admired by young believers for his vocal prowess and passion for gospel music. Today, he is a suspect in a high-profile murder case, facing the possibility of a life sentence or even capital punishment if found guilty. The contrast between the singer leading a congregation in worship and the accused kneeling alone in court is a haunting one—an image that speaks volumes about how quickly public figures can fall and how deep the chasm between faith and failure can be.

Outside the courtroom, reactions were just as emotional. One bystander, a middle-aged woman who identified herself only as Mrs. Agbo, said she came to witness the trial out of curiosity but left with sadness. “How did we get here?” she asked. “Our youth are lost. He sang about Jesus, yet look at where he is. We need to pray for our children.”

The hearing was adjourned, with the next court date set for early June. Meanwhile, Timilehin remains in custody, and as the trial unfolds, more unsettling revelations are expected to emerge. Whether his prayers are heard by a higher power or fall flat in the face of overwhelming evidence remains to be seen. What’s certain, however, is that Nigeria will be watching—closely and critically.

For now, the courtroom echoes not with hymns, but with haunting silence, pierced only by the sobs of grieving loved ones and the whispers of justice inching its way forward.