The Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin and presided over by Justice Hannah Ajayi, on Thursday delivered a landmark judgment in one of the state’s most chilling murder trials in recent memory. The court sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging for the brutal murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a promising graduate of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
The judgment, which comes after months of intense legal proceedings, investigation, and public outrage, brought a measure of closure to a case that sent shockwaves across Nigeria and ignited fierce calls for justice from women rights activists, students, and civil society groups.
Justice Hannah Ajayi, in her well-detailed judgment, found the accused guilty of culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code, having meticulously considered the weight of the evidence presented by the prosecution. The judge described the act as “gruesome, senseless, and an affront to humanity,” noting that the defendant not only took a life but desecrated it in the most inhumane way possible.
But the most chilling moment of the entire proceeding, observers noted, was when Abdulrahman Bello, the 27-year-old convict, reportedly smiled as the verdict was read. Courtroom attendees gasped audibly as he maintained a chilling calm, showing no visible remorse.
“This is not just a crime. It is a perversion of human conscience,” the judge remarked. “And justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”
In addition to the death sentence, Justice Ajayi handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Bello for the illegal possession of human blood and body parts, a charge that deepened the horror surrounding the case. The court gave an option of a ?100,000 fine or an additional six months’ imprisonment on that count, as stipulated under the laws of the state.
According to the prosecution led by Barrister Rotimi Adeoye, police investigators discovered containers of preserved human blood, as well as body parts, in Bello’s rented apartment during the course of the investigation. It was also revealed that these items were preserved for suspected ritual purposes.
Hafsoh Lawal, a recent graduate and an aspiring teacher, was declared missing in late February 2025. Her disappearance triggered panic among students and residents in Ilorin, particularly as reports of missing persons—particularly women—had been on the rise in the preceding months.
Her decomposed body was eventually found in a shallow grave in the outskirts of Ilorin, following a tip-off that led security agents to Bello. The discovery confirmed the worst fears of her grieving family and sparked mass protests across campuses and urban centers in the state.
The autopsy report revealed that Hafsoh had suffered blunt force trauma and was likely killed in a ritualistic fashion. Further forensic analysis linked Bello directly to the crime, leading to his arrest and subsequent arraignment.
Outside the courtroom, hundreds of supporters, activists, and members of Hafsoh Lawal’s family gathered in tense anticipation of the ruling. At the announcement of the verdict, tears flowed freely, not just in grief but in a bittersweet sense of justice served.
“We thank God. This won’t bring Hafsoh back, but at least her soul can rest now,” said Fatimah Lawal, the victim’s elder sister, who addressed journalists shortly after the ruling. “He didn’t just kill our sister, he desecrated her memory. Let today be a lesson.”
Rights groups also weighed in. Women Arise for Justice (WAJ), a leading advocacy group, issued a statement praising the judgment while also calling for systemic reforms to protect vulnerable persons, especially women.
“We welcome this verdict, but the work is far from done,” said WAJ’s national coordinator, Mrs. Ada Onwuegbuzie. “There are still too many Hafsohs who never get justice.”
Bello’s defense counsel, who had previously argued for a lighter sentence citing mental instability, declined to speak to the press after the judgment. It remains to be seen whether the defense will appeal the ruling.
Meanwhile, security around the court premises was visibly tightened, with a combined team of police, DSS, and civil defense personnel on ground to prevent any unrest, especially in light of the emotional atmosphere.
The sentencing of Abdulrahman Bello brings a grim chapter to a close in Kwara State’s legal and social history. But it also serves as a stark reminder of the deep societal issues that underlie crimes of this nature—ritual killings, gender-based violence, and the need for stronger institutional safeguards.
Credit: Firstweekly
