Suspected Cleric Murderer, Abdulrahman Bello has confessed of killing a final year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal for money ritual.
Bello who is standing trial before Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi alongside other accomplices made the confession in a video recording tendered as evidence at the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin
In the video, Bello admitted to have committed the act alone and stated that he would not have killed Hafsoh if had access to human body parts through other means.
The prime suspect in the gruesome murder shocked the courtroom as he openly confessed to the killing of the young woman to harvest her body parts for money ritual.
Leading the prosecution team at the inception of hearing, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Justice Ibrahim Sulyman called on the court to hear from Inspector Ayodele Azeez of the State Criminal Investigation Department CID who detailed the Police Investigation and recovery of disturbing exhibits Bello’s residence
In his submission, Inspector Ayodele Azeez explained that the 1st defendant of Olunlade was found with exihibits including one axe, cutlass, table , charms, right and left hands of the victim, consultation book, techno phone, iPhone, iPhone SR, paint rubber, container with blood, slippers.
Inspector Azeez stated that Bello voluntarily gave a statement in presence of a lawyer, Barrister A.O Ahmed who was provided by the Police after Bello said he could not afford one
He pointed out that statement was both handwritten and recorded on video later transfered to compact disk and submitted as evidence, testifying that the Police tracked and arrested Bello’s known associates using his call records which revealed regular contact with other defendants before and on the day of the murder
The prosecution counsel called Barrister A O who informed the court that he witnessed the case voluntary making of confessional statements of the prime suspect, Abdulrahman Bello.
He noted that during interrogation of Abdulrahman Bello by Inspector Ayodele Azeez, the proceedings of the interrogation was also recorded on the video as Abdulrahman was never tortured before making incriminating extra judicial statement in the video
Similarly, Mrs Aremu Sera Kosemani, a teacher and transcriptionist also testified as the 10th witness where she informed the court that on the 6th of May 2025, she received some videos from prosecution which transcribed into a written text
In his reaction, the defense counsel, Barrister Agbede had initially objected to the admissibility of the disk and claimed that Bello was coersed but the Presiding Judge ruled that the evidence was admissible and ordered video to be played in court.
It was gathered that the court went for recess around 11:32 in the morning and reconvened while a Chief State Counsel, Issa Zakaria therefore announced his appearance as the leading prosecution team.
The case was later adjourned to 4th of June 2025 for continuation of the hearing.
