Kwara court sentences Abdulrahman Bello to death for murder of final-year student Hafsoh Lawal

An Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin for the murder of 24-year-old Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Hannah Ajayi described the act as “the highest degree of human wickedness,” ruling that it was premeditated and cold-blooded.

Judgment Summary

Justice Ajayi found Bello guilty of Murder (Section 221 of the Penal Code), having human parts and blood, and engaging in activities relating to money-making rituals.

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He was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of human parts, with an option of a ₦100,000 fine.

However, he was acquitted of rape charges, and the four co-defendants were discharged and acquitted, as the prosecution failed to link them directly to the crime.

Details of the Case

Hafsoh Lawal was killed and dismembered on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade Area of Ilorin.

Bello was arrested after an investigation revealed he had lured the victim through social media under false pretences.

The court rejected his defence, which claimed he was in love with the victim and intended to marry her. Justice Ajayi ruled that this was a ploy to deceive the court, especially after evidence, including a book on money rituals found in his home, was presented in court.

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While Bello was convicted on charges 2, 3, and 4, the court found no credible evidence to support the conspiracy charge against the other four accused: Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu.

Reaction from Traditional Authorities

The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, commended the court for delivering justice, stating, “The gruesome murder of Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal was pathetic, unfortunate, regrettable, and worrisome. The judgment has further brightened the hope and trust of the people in the judiciary and security agencies.”

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He also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities and interactions, warning of the dangers of unregulated contact via social media.

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Justice Ajayi used the judgment to admonish young Nigerians, emphasising the importance of informing family or friends about their whereabouts when meeting strangers.

She suggested that Hafsoh’s tragic death could have been avoided if she had shared her plans with someone she trusted.

The sentencing of Abdulrahman Bello brings partial closure to a case that shocked Kwara State and drew national attention. It also reignites conversations around ritual killings, social media safety, and justice reform in Nigeria.