Ilorin, Nigeria — The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday resumed hearing in the murder case of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, as chilling details emerged through a recorded confession by the prime suspect, Abdulrahman Bello.
A video played in court captured Bello openly admitting that he killed Hafsoh for ritual purposes. According to the footage, he confessed to acting alone and stated that he needed human hands for a money ritual. Expressing remorse, Bello claimed he would not have committed the act if he had alternative means of sourcing the required “ingredient.”
Supporting the confession, a police officer from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Inspector Ayodele Azeez, took the witness stand. He narrated how the case—initially reported at Oja-Oba’s C Division on February 14, 2025—was transferred to the State CID and later assigned to the anti-homicide unit led by ASP Dada Segun.
Inspector Azeez detailed that several incriminating items were recovered from the suspect’s residence, including an axe, cutlass, charms, a table, a pair of human hands, mobile phones, a container with blood, slippers, and other materials believed to be linked to the crime.
He further testified that the suspect voluntarily gave his statement in English after being asked about his preferred language. Though he had no lawyer initially, Inspector Azeez arranged for legal representation, with Barrister A.O. Ahmed present during the suspect’s statement recording. The statement was signed and confirmed by all parties, including the legal representative and the investigating officers.
In line with legal procedure, the entire confession process was also recorded on video. The recording, according to Azeez, was transferred to a compact disk, accompanied by a certificate of compliance, and submitted as evidence.
Upon inspection, the court admitted the disk despite objections from Barrister Agbede, counsel representing the suspect, who argued that the confession was obtained under duress. Other defense lawyers raised no objection.
Presiding Judge, Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi, overruled the objection and ordered that the video be played in court. Additionally, Inspector Azeez confirmed that during a follow-up investigation at the crime scene in Olunlade, a pair of earrings belonging to the deceased was found—further linking the suspect to the murder.
The trial continues.
By Enoch Odesola | May 22, 2025
