The trial of five suspected murderers of a final year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Hafsoh Lawal, commenced at a Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin on Wednesday.
During the proceedings, four witnesses, including police, the father of the late Hafsoh, and a friend of the late Hafsoh, gave evidence before Justice Hannah Ajayi.
Abdulrahman Bello, the prime suspect, and four other suspects had pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them by the prosecutor.
The other suspects are Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman and AbdulRahman Jamiu.
They were accused of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and illegal possession of human parts while the first defendant, AbdulRahman Bello was solely charged with raping the deceased.
During the Wednesday’s hearing, a senior police officer, ASP Yusuf Dauda and Inspector Muhammed Kamaldeen tendered items recovered from the suspects, including two human palms and other body parts, a container of human blood, an axe, a cutlass, a table, a wooden box of black soap, four mobile phones, a sack of charms and a notebook of charms, all admitted as exhibits by the court.
The father of Hafsoh, Mr Ibrahim Lawal, narrated how his daughter went missing and her mobile phone was tracked before the prime suspect, AbdulRahman Bello, was arrested.
In an emotion-laden voice, he recounted how the prime suspect, AbdulRahman Bello, at the Oja Oba police station, Ilorin, allegedly confessed to killing and dismembering the body of his daughter.
The late Hafsoh’s friend, Falilat AbdulAfeez, also narrated how Hafsoh left the naming ceremony they were attending after receiving a call without telling her friends her destination.
The Kwara State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Senior Ibrahim, led the prosecution team.
In her ruling, Justice Hannah Ajayi adjourned the case to Monday, April 12, 2025, for further hearing.
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