The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin has upheld the death sentence handed to self-proclaimed Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, for the murder of his lover, Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
Lawal was killed on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade area of Ilorin, a crime that sparked widespread outrage throughout Kwara State and beyond.
Bello, along with four co-defendants, was initially charged with conspiracy, murder, and the unlawful removal and possession of human parts and blood. Bello alone faced an additional rape charge, for which he was ultimately acquitted.
In a unanimous ruling delivered on Thursday by a three-member panel led by Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, the appellate court dismissed Bello’s appeal, finding that the prosecution had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he murdered Lawal and was in unlawful possession of human parts.
The appellate court affirmed the earlier judgment of the Kwara State High Court, which sentenced Bello to death by hanging and imposed an additional 10-year prison sentence for the possession of human parts.
The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit, confirming both Bello’s conviction and sentences. It held that the trial court had properly assessed the evidence and rightly concluded that the prosecution had established the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution at the appellate level 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 Ministry of Justice hailed the judgment as a significant milestone in the state’s criminal justice system, emphasizing the judiciary’s commitment to determining cases strictly on the basis of law and evidence.
“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 ministry stated. “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 further noted that the decision would bolster 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.”
However, the ministry acknowledged that Bello retains the right to pursue further appeals as provided by the Constitution and other relevant laws.
The appellate decision followed the July 2025 verdict of the Kwara State High Court, where Justice Hannah Ajayi sentenced Bello to death after finding him guilty of murdering and dismembering Lawal. Justice Ajayi described the crime as “the highest degree of human wickedness,” calling it “a premeditated and cold-blooded act.”
She dismissed Bello’s claim that he loved the deceased and intended to marry her as an afterthought meant to mislead the court. The judge also noted that Bello’s behavior after the crime and before his arrest suggested it might not have been his first such offense. The discovery of a book about money-making charms in his apartment further strengthened the prosecution’s case.
Justice Ajayi held that the video and written confessional statements obtained by the Department of State Services and police were lawfully admitted, dismissing Bello’s claims of coercion.
While acquitting him of rape, the court convicted Bello of murder and unlawful possession of human parts, sentencing him to death by hanging for the former and imposing a 10-year prison term, with an option of a N100,000 fine, for the latter.
The four co-defendants—Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu—were acquitted, as the prosecution failed to prove their involvement.
Following the High Court ruling, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, condemned the murder as tragic and praised the judiciary for delivering justice.
“The gruesome murder of Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal was pathetic, unfortunate, regrettable, and worrisome,” the monarch said, adding that the judgment had restored hope and trust in the judiciary and security agencies. He prayed for Allah to grant repose to Lawal’s soul and comfort her family.
The Emir also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and monitor their children to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
