An Islamic cleric in Ilorin, Abdulrahman Bello, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the brutal murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student at the College of Education in Ilorin. The sentence was handed down by Justice Hannah Ajayi of the Kwara State High Court.
During the trial, Justice Ajayi found Bello guilty of killing Lawal for ritual purposes and the trade in human body parts. The judge described the murder as a cruel and wicked act. She stated that Bello had lured Lawal to his home under false pretenses, pretending to love her and planning to marry her. The judge emphasized that these claims were lies meant to deceive Lawal.
“Bello used false promises of love and marriage to bring the victim to his residence. The killing was a cruel and extreme display of human wickedness,” Justice Ajayi said.
Four other defendants, Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen, and Abdulrahman Jamiu, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them to the crime.
The crime took place on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade area of Ilorin. Bello had invited Lawal to his home, where he had sexual relations with her before killing and dismembering her body. During the investigation, police found disturbing evidence in Bello’s room, including the victim’s palm, a bottle filled with blood, her personal belongings, and the murder weapon. Other body parts were later discovered at a nearby dumpsite.
Justice Ajayi concluded the case by sentencing Bello to death by hanging.
