Court Upholds Death Sentence for Kwara Cleric in Murder Case

The Court of Appeal in Ilorin upheld the death sentence for Abdulrahman Bello, a self-acclaimed Islamic cleric, for the murder of Hafsoh Yetund Lawal, a final year student at Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. The murder occurred on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlad area of Ilorin, and the case garnered significant public outrage across Kwara State.

Bello faced multiple charges, including murder and unlawful possession of human parts, and was acquitted of rape charges. The three-member panel, led by Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, dismissed Bello's appeal, affirming that the prosecution proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court also upheld the trial court's sentence, which included a death penalty and an additional 10-year prison term for unlawful possession of human parts. The Kwara State Ministry of Justice described the judgment as a significant milestone in the state's criminal justice administration, reinforcing public confidence in the legal system.