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 a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Hannah Ajayi described the killing as cruel, wicked, and an extreme display of human wickedness.
The court heard that Bello had lured Lawal to his residence under the guise of a romantic relationship, where he killed and dismembered her body for ritual purposes.
Upon arrest, a search of Bello’s room revealed incriminating evidence, including the palm of the deceased, a bottle filled with blood, and personal belongings of the victim.
A cutlass used in dismembering the body was also found, and other parts of Lawal’s decomposed body were later discovered at a nearby dumpsite.
Justice Ajayi noted that Bello’s confession of love and plan to marry Lawal were concocted lies to lure her to his residence.
The judge emphasised that the evidence presented proved Bello’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In contrast, four other defendants – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen, and Abdulrahman Jamiu – were acquitted and discharged, as the court found no evidence linking them to the crime.
Abdulrahman Bello was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Hafsoh Lawal.
The judgment serves as a reminder of the severity of the crime and the importance of justice being served in such heinous cases.
