Report by ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
Kwara state High Court, sitting in Ilorin has convicted and sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging, over the killing and dismembering of the body of a final year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Hafsat Lawal, in connivance with four others.
In her Judgement, Justice Hannah Ajayi, however 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.
The court held 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, adding that the convict did not show himself as a witness of truth.
Justice Ajayi noted that all what the convict said to deny allegations against him were afterthought”. More so, as a book containing secret of money making charms was found in his apartment.
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.
