Hafso Lawal murder: Judge describes bail request as distraction

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

As the trial of the suspected killers of Kwara State College of Education student, Hafso Lawal, resumed at the State High Court in Ilorin, the presiding judge, Justice Hannah Ajayi, described the bail application for the suspects as a distraction. She promised an accelerated hearing and adjourned proceedings until May 21, 2025.

During the hearing, the family of the deceased requested the release of Hafsoh Lawal’s dismembered body for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. The request was made by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, who is leading the prosecution.

Defence counsel Mr. Chukwudi Maduka, representing the first defendant, Abdulrahman Bello, did not oppose the request and expressed sympathy for the bereaved family, even as the prosecution continues.

Abdulrahman Bello and four others are facing charges of conspiracy and murder. Three additional witnesses testified on Monday, including two police officers and Dr. Olaleke Folaranmi, an anatomic pathologist from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

Key police witnesses testified that Bello had orally confessed to the crime and led investigators to both his apartment and a dumpsite in the Olunlade area, where parts of Hafsoh’s body were discovered. A further search led to a larger dumpsite near the Okolowo–Eyenkorin expressway, where more body parts were reportedly recovered.

One officer told the court that a scavenger helped recover the remains, which the suspect later identified as belonging to the deceased. A video showing body parts found in Bello’s apartment was played in court and admitted as evidence, along with a certificate of compliance, despite objections from the defence.

Sergeant Moses testified that Hafsoh was reported missing on February 11. Phone records led police to arrest Bello, who was the last person to contact her. He also revealed that Bello attempted to bribe officers during his arrest.

A search of Bello’s residence reportedly uncovered the victim’s belongings, blood-stained weapons, charms, and human body parts preserved in gin. Dr. Folaranmi confirmed through a postmortem examination that the remains were human, and his findings were admitted as Exhibit P17.