AbdulRahman Bello, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of Hafsah Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday when he was arraigned before a State High Court in Ilorin.
The crime, which occurred on February 10, 2025, had initially seen AbdulRahman confess to the charges at a lower court, even pleading for the release of his co-accused, whom he claimed were innocent. However, his latest plea at the high court contradicts that earlier admission.
AbdulRahman and four other co-defendants—Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and AbdulRahman Jamiu—pleaded not guilty to all five-count charges brought against them, which include criminal conspiracy, murder, and dismemberment of the victim for alleged ritual purposes.
In addition to the joint charges, AbdulRahman Bello faces a separate count of rape, an offence punishable under Section 283 of the Penal Code CAP P4, Laws of Kwara State.
The prosecution team was led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Kwara State, Senior Ibrahim. While all defendants had legal representation, Bello was represented on a pro bono basis.
Presiding over the case, Justice Hannah Ajayi ordered that all the accused be remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Facility until the next hearing.
The trial has been adjourned to May 7, 2025, for further proceedings.
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