JUST IN: COURT SENTENCES ABDULRAHMAN TO DEATH BY HANGING OVER MURDER OF KWARA FINAL-YEAR STUDENT

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By: Sefiu Ajape

The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging for the murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the College of Education, Ilorin.

In her ruling on Thursday, Justice Hannah Ajayi acquitted four co-defendants—Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen, and Abdulrahman Jamiu—clearing them of all charges and involvement in the crime.

The defendants were initially arraigned on a five-count charge, but the judge began her judgment by discharging the four from any connection to the killing of Hafsoh Lawal, declaring them innocent and ordering their release.

Turning to the principal accused, Abdulrahman Bello, Justice Ajayi described the act as “cruel, wicked, and an extreme display of human wickedness.”

She stated that evidence presented in court clearly proved that Hafsoh was murdered for the purpose of money rituals and trafficking in human body parts.

The judge dismissed Bello’s claims of love and intention to marry the victim, labeling them as calculated lies to lure her to his residence where the crime occurred.

Justice Ajayi subsequently sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging, while affirming the acquittal of the four other suspects.

The crime took place on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade area of Ilorin.

According to court findings, Bello invited Hafsoh—his girlfriend—to his home, where he had sexual intercourse with her before killing and dismembering her body.

Upon his arrest and interrogation, police recovered the victim’s palm, a bottle filled with blood, and other personal items in Bello’s room.

A cutlass allegedly used in dismembering her body was also found.

Other decomposed body parts were later discovered at a nearby dumpsite in Ilorin.