Abdulrahman Bello who killed and dismembered the body of a final year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin,
Hafsat Lawal has been found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
However, Justice Hannah Ajayi of the Kwara state High Court, in her judgement on Thursday, discharged and acquitted Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman and Abdulrahman Jamiu; the four other accused persons in the trial, of any connection in the five-count charge case.
Justice Ajayi, who described the offence by the prime suspect as highest degree of human wickedness and cruel act, held that his defence in court showed that he had preconceived intention of killing the victim for money making ritual.
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She also said that the confession of love by the prime suspect for the victim with intention to marry her, as said in his defence, are all concocted lies to deceive the court.
The judge also said that attitude of the convict after committing the crime and before his arrest by the law enforcement officers showed that it may not have been his first time of engaging in the act.
The court also held that video and written evidences taken by the officers of the DSS and police from the convict duly complied with law of the state.
It also held that no evidence showed or substantiated beating of the convict or blood stain sustained due to police beating, while the judge said that the convict did not show himself as a witness of truth, “because all what he said to deny allegations against him were afterthought”. More so, as a book containing secret of money making charms was found in his apartment.
Justice Hannah Ajayi, who took a moment out while delivering the judgement to admonish members of the public, especially young adults, on bad influence of social media, said that the victim may have been alive if she had informed members of her family, friends or relatives of her movement or visit to a Facebook male friend before she was killed.
‎The incident occurred on February 10, 2025 at Olunlade Area of llorin, Kwara state while the case had attracted a lot of attention in and outside the state.
Justice Hannah Ajayi, who found the convict guilty of being in possession of human parts and human blood, sentenced the acclaimed cleric to 10 years imprisonment with option of N100, 000 fine/six months jail term.
The court, which freed the convict of rape, however, found him guilty of killing and dismembering body of the victim and thus sentenced him to death by hanging.
It is recalled that Abdulrahman and the four others were accused of conspiring and causing the death of Hafsoh Lawal and dismembering her body.
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‎They were also accused of conspiring and engaging in the removal of her body parts, draining her blood and being in possession of human parts and blood.
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‎The prime suspect, Abdulrahman Bello was solely accused of raping the deceased, an offence punishable under section 283 of the Penal code CAP P4, Laws of Kwara state.
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‎All the five accused persons had pleaded not guilty.
The five count charge include:
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COUNT ONE: That you ABDULRAHMAN BELLO, AHMED ABDULWASIU, SULEIMAN MUHYDEEN, JAMIU UTHMAN and ABDULRAHMAN JAMIU on or about 10th February, 2025, at Olunlade Area, llorin, Kwara State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired to commit an illegal act, to wit; conspired to cause the death of one Hafsat Yetunde Adefalu and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the
Penal Code, CAP. P4, Laws of Kwara State 2006. c/2025
COUNT TWO: That YOU ABDULRAHMAN BELLO, AHMED ABDULWASIU, SULEIMAN MUHYDEEN, JAMIU UTHMAN and ABDULRAHMAN JAMIU on or about 10h February, 2025, at Olunlade Area, Ilorin, Kwara State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, committed an illegal act, to wit: cause the death of one Hafsat Yetunde Adefalu, then dismembered her body and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code, CAP. P4, Laws of Kwara State 2006.
COUNT THREE: That you ABDULRAHMAN BELLO, AHMED ABDULWASIU, SULEIMAN MUHYDEEN, JAMIU UTHMAN and ABDULRAHMAN JAMIU on or about 10th February, 2025, at Olunlade Area, llorin, Kwara State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to commit an illegal act, to wit; conspired to engage in the removal of human parts; found in possession of human parts; engaged in the draining of human blood and found in possession of human blood, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 9 and punishable under Section 12 (a) of the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, Laws of Kwara State, 2018.
COUNT FOUR:
That you ABDULRAHMAN BELLO, AHMED ABDULWASIU, SULEIMAN MUHYDEEN, JAMIU UTHMAN and ABDULRAHMAN JAMIU on or about 10th February, 2025, at Olunlade Area, lorin, Kwara State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, committed an ilegal act, to wit: you engaged in the removal of human parts; found in possession of human parts; engaged in the draining of human blood and found in possession of human blood, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 7 (a) – (d) and punishable under Section 12 (a) of the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, Laws of Kwara State, 2018.
COUNT FIVE: That you ABDULRAHMAN BELLO on or about 10th February, 2025, at Olunlade Area, llorin, Kwara State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, cormmitted an illegal act, to wit; you raped one Hafsat Yetunde Adefalu and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 283 of the Penal Code, CAP. P4, Laws of Kwara State.
