A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello, an Islamic cleric, to death by hanging for the murder of 24-year-old Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education. The judge, Hannah Ajayi, delivered the verdict on Thursday, describing the crime as “the highest degree of human wickedness” and a “cold-blooded act”.
Abdulrahman Bello was found guilty of killing and dismembering Hafsoh’s body for money-making rituals. In addition to the death sentence for murder, he was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine for being in possession of human parts and blood.
However, four co-defendants – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu – were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence linking them to the crime.
The judge noted that Bello’s confession showed a preconceived intention to kill the victim for money rituals, and his defense was deemed “concocted lies to deceive the court”. The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, hailed the judgment, describing it as a bright spot for the judiciary and security agencies.
