In a court ruling that brings to a close a highly publicised and disturbing case, which has served as a stark reminder of the dangers of ritual killings and the role of digital platforms in facilitating such encounters, the High Court sitting in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, has sentenced a self-proclaimed Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, to death by hanging for the murder and dismemberment of Hafsah Lawal, a final-year student of the College of Education, Ilorin.
Bello was convicted of conspiring with four others to kill the victim in what the court determined was a ritual killing aimed at obtaining money-making charms. The gruesome incident occurred on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade area of Ilorin, drawing widespread public outrage both within and outside the state.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Hannah Ajayi found Bello guilty of murder and the unlawful possession of human parts and blood. He was sentenced to death by hanging, and in a separate ruling, received a 10-year prison sentence for possession of human remains, with an option of a ₦100,000 fine or an additional six months in jail.
However, the four other co-defendants—Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen, and Abdulrahman Jamiu—were acquitted and discharged. Justice Ajayi ruled that there was insufficient evidence linking them to the killing or the dismemberment of the victim.
In her remarks, the judge described Bello’s actions as an “ultimate expression of human wickedness” and said his conduct during and after the crime suggested that this may not have been his first offense. She also dismissed the convict’s claim that he was in love with the victim and had intended to marry her, calling it a fabricated lie intended to mislead the court.
Justice Ajayi further noted that a book on money rituals was recovered from Bello’s residence, undermining his defense. She held that both video and written confessions obtained by security agents from the Department of State Services (DSS) and police adhered to legal standards, and there was no credible evidence of coercion or torture, as alleged by the convict.
The judge cautioned the public, particularly young adults, on the dangers of unchecked interactions on social media. She expressed regret that the victim might still be alive had she informed family or friends about her meeting with the suspect, whom she had met on Facebook.
Although Bello was initially charged with rape, the court acquitted him on that count due to a lack of evidence.
Charges filed against the defendants include conspiracy to cause the death of Hafsat Yetunde Adefalu, an offense under Section 97 of the Penal Code, CAP. P4, Laws of Kwara State 2006.
Others include Causing the death of the victim and dismembering her body, in violation of Section 221 of the Penal Code.
Count Three: Conspiracy to engage in the removal and possession of human parts and blood, contrary to Section 9 and punishable under Section 12(a) of the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, 2018.
Count Four: Engaging in the removal and possession of human parts and blood, contrary to Section 7(a)-(d) and punishable under Section 12(a) of the same law.
Count Five: Rape of Hafsat Yetunde Adefalu, in violation of Section 283 of the Penal Code. (The defendant was found not guilty on this count.)
