The Court of Appeal in Ilorin has upheld the death sentence handed to self-acclaimed 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.
The Punch reported that Lawal was killed on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade area of Ilorin, a crime that sparked widespread outrage across Kwara State and beyond.
Bello, alongside four others, was initially arraigned on charges of conspiracy, murder, unlawful removal and possession of human parts and blood. Bello was also separately charged with rape but was acquitted of that count by the trial court.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole dismissed Bello’s appeal, ruling that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that he murdered Lawal 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 appeal lacked merit, noting that the trial court properly assessed the evidence and rightly concluded that the prosecution established the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution team at the Court of Appeal 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.
The Kwara State Ministry of Justice described the judgment as another milestone in the administration of criminal justice in the state.
“The judgment underscores the commitment of the Kwara State Ministry of Justice and the judiciary to ensuring that criminal cases are determined strictly in accordance with the law and the evidence presented before the courts,” the statement read.
“It also reaffirms the principle that persons found guilty of grave offences, after a fair trial, will be held accountable under the law.”
The ministry added that the decision would further boost public confidence in the justice system.
“The affirmation of the conviction and sentence represents another milestone in the administration of criminal justice and reinforces public confidence in the rule of law and the appellate process.”
It, however, noted that Bello still has the right to pursue any further appeals available to him under the Constitution and other applicable laws.
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 before sentencing him to death by hanging.
While delivering the verdict, Justice Ajayi described the killing as “the highest degree of human wickedness,” saying it was a “premeditated and cold-blooded act.”
The judge rejected Bello’s claim that he loved the deceased and intended to marry her, describing it as an afterthought aimed at misleading the court.
She further held that Bello’s actions after the killing and before his arrest suggested the possibility that it was not his first involvement in such a crime.
The court also noted that a book on money-making charms recovered from his apartment strengthened the prosecution’s case.
Justice Ajayi equally ruled that the video and written confessional statements obtained by operatives of the Department of State Services and the police were lawfully admitted as evidence, dismissing Bello’s claim that he was tortured into making the confessions.
Although Bello was cleared of the rape charge, he was convicted of murder and unlawful possession of human parts. He received a death sentence for the murder and a 10-year prison term, with an option of a N100,000 fine, for the human parts offence.
The trial court also discharged and acquitted the four other defendants—Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman and Abdulrahman Jamiu—after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove their involvement in the offences.
Reacting to the High Court judgment at the time, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the killing as tragic and praised the judiciary for ensuring justice.
“The gruesome murder of Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal was pathetic, unfortunate, regrettable and worrisome,” the monarch said in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Abdulazeez Arowona.
“The judgment has further brightened the hope and trust of the people in the judiciary and security agencies. May Almighty Allah repose the soul of the late Hafsoh Lawal and comfort her family members.”
The monarch also urged parents and guardians to be more vigilant and closely monitor the activities and movements of their children and wards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
