- However, four co-defendants – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu- were discharged and acquitted of all five charges.
In Kwara State, one Abdulrahman Bello has been sentenced to death over the brutal murder and dismemberment of a student, Hafsat Yetunde Adefalu Lawal.
Bello, a self-acclaimed Islamic cleric, was convicted and sentenced by the Kwara State High Court over the murder of the final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
Justice Hannah Ajayi, who delivered the judgment, described the action of Bello as the “highest degree of human wickedness”, adding that the act is a clear case of premeditated ritual killing motivated by a desire for wealth.
The court held that Bello lured the victim to his residence at Olunlade area in Ilorin on February 10, 2025, killed her, and dismembered her body.
However, four co-defendants – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu- were discharged and acquitted of all five charges. The judge ruled that there was no evidence linking them to the crime.
Justice Ajayi dismissed Bello’s claims of a romantic relationship and intention to marry Hafsat as “concocted lies” meant to deceive the court.
She added that his behaviour after the crime showed it was not his first time committing such an act.
The court accepted the video and written confessions recorded by both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police. The judge said they were in line with legal provisions, with no signs of torture or forced confession.
According to Justice Ajayi, a book on money-making charms found at Bello’s residence further supported the prosecution’s case, reinforcing the court’s belief in his ritualistic motives,
Bello was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide. On the charges of possession of human parts and blood, he received 10 years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine or six months additional jail term. He was, however, acquitted of rape.
Justice Ajayi cautioned the public, especially young people, about the dangers of social media interactions. She noted that the victim might still be alive had she informed her family or friends about her plans to visit someone she met on Facebook.
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