The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin has upheld the death sentence imposed on self-proclaimed Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, for the murder of his lover, Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
Drivetvnews gathered that Lawal was killed on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade area of Ilorin, in a case that sparked widespread public outrage across Kwara State and beyond.
Bello and four others were initially arraigned on charges of conspiracy, murder, unlawful removal and possession of human parts and blood. Bello also faced a rape charge but was acquitted of that count by the trial court.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, the appellate court dismissed Bello’s appeal, ruling that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that he murdered the victim and unlawfully possessed human parts.
The court consequently affirmed the judgment of the Kwara State High Court, which sentenced Bello to death by hanging for murder and imposed an additional 10-year prison term for unlawful possession of human parts.
According to the appellate court, the trial judge properly evaluated the evidence and correctly concluded that the prosecution established the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution team was led by the Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, alongside Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari and Assistant Chief State Counsel B.L. Abdulsalam.
Reacting to the judgment, the Kwara State Ministry of Justice described the ruling as another milestone in the administration of criminal justice, saying it reinforces the principle that anyone found guilty of grave offences after a fair trial will be held accountable under the law.
The ministry added that the decision would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary and the appellate process, while noting that Bello still has any further constitutional rights of appeal available to him.
The appellate ruling followed the July 2025 judgment of the Kwara State High Court, where Justice Hannah Ajayi found Bello guilty of murdering and dismembering Lawal. The judge described the crime as a premeditated and cold-blooded act, dismissing Bello’s claim that he intended to marry the deceased as an afterthought.
Justice Ajayi also ruled that Bello’s conduct before and after the crime, coupled with a book on money-making charms recovered from his residence, strengthened the prosecution’s case. She further held that the video and written confessional statements obtained by security operatives were lawfully admitted in evidence.
Although acquitted of the rape charge, Bello was convicted of murder and unlawful possession of human parts. He was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder and given a 10-year prison term, with an option of a ₦100,000 fine, for the unlawful possession offence.
The four other defendants — Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman and Abdulrahman Jamiu — were discharged and acquitted after the court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish their involvement in the offences.
Following the earlier High Court judgment, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the killing as tragic and commended the judiciary for ensuring justice. He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant over the activities and movements of their children to help prevent similar incidents.
