‘I killed her alone’: cleric accused of killing Kwara student exonerates co-suspects

A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Thursday at a magistrate court in Kwara State when Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello, the prime suspect in the murder of Hafsah Lawal, a final-year student of the College of Education, declared in open court that his co-accused were innocent. Bello was arraigned alongside Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41), Suleiman Muyideen (28), […]

A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Thursday at a magistrate court in Kwara State when Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello, the prime suspect in the murder of Hafsah Lawal, a final-year student of the College of Education, declared in open court that his co-accused were innocent.

Bello was arraigned alongside Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41), Suleiman Muyideen (28), Jamiu Uthman (29), and Abdulrahman Jamiu (31). While the other accused had legal representation, Bello stood unrepresented during the 26-minute trial.

Issa Zakari, representing the state, informed the court that legal advice from the State Attorney General had been received, stating that all suspects had a case to answer.

He requested the court to transfer the case to the state High Court for proper prosecution.

However, in a surprising moment, Bello raised his hand and sought permission to speak. Presiding Magistrate S.B. Mohammed granted his request.

“I want to say something, Ma,” Bello began. “The other suspects know nothing about the crime I committed. I acted alone, and I appeal to this court to release them.”

When the magistrate pressed for details, Bello provided a chilling account of the incident.

He claimed that when Hafsah arrived at his home, she complained of hunger. He went out to buy food, which they shared before engaging in intimacy.

“But because God had destined that she would die that day, she died in the process.

“My only mistake was that instead of calling for help, I panicked. I decided to dismember her body, pack the parts, and dump them in a public dustbin.

“The police later recovered some of them. The only part still in my house was her hands, which I hadn’t disposed of out of fear,” he said.

When asked if he had committed similar crimes before, Bello insisted, “This was my first time. It was as if a spirit took over me. The moment it left, I realised what I had done was terrible. Please, let the others go free.”

In response, Magistrate Mohammed noted that the case had already been approved for transfer to the State High Court, where Bello could formally make his plea.

The case was adjourned to Thursday, March 20, 2025, for further proceedings.