Hafsoh’s Murder: “DSS Further Investigation On Abdulrahman Bello’s Sponsors, Collaborators (If any), In Advanced Stage” * Prime suspect not in Abuja contrary to reports  * Court sends suspects back to DSS custody 

By Omowumi Omotosho

In a session that lasted for 1 hours, 8 minutes, an Ilorin Magistrate Court on Thursday directed the prime suspect in the murder of a graduate of Kwara State College of Education, Hafsoh Lawal, Abdulrahman Bello, along with other four co-defendants, be returned to the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.

Recall that it was reported last week that operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) storm Oke-Kura Custodial Centre around 6pm in the evening and whisked Abdulrahman away for further investigation into the heinous act of suspected murder.

The Chief State Counsel, Issa Zakari, in moving for the adjournment of the case to enable the DSS conclude its investigation, told the court that investigation by the security outfit has already reached advanced stage.

Throwing more lights on DSS investigation into the gruesome killing of Hafsoh, a member of the prosecuting counsels told National Pilot at the court premises that the DSS took over the investigation to determine whether Abdulrahman acted alone as he had repeatedly claimed or he worked in collaboration with some others who are probably at large.

According to the Counsel who spoke on condition of anonymity, the security operatives are also digging to know if he( Abdulrahman) is into ritual killing and if so, who are his sponsors and patrons.

the suspects being led into the courtroom on Thursday 

At about 9:06 AM on Thursday, Abdulrahman and four others, escorted by heavily armed DSS operatives arrived at the court premises in a white Toyota Hiace bus, followed by a White Toyota Hilux filled with DSS operatives.

The DSS operatives frowned at attempts to capture the arrival and departure of the suspects in court. At least two phones of onlookers trying to capture the moment were seized,but later returned to the owners by the operatives.The armed squad of the Nigeria Correctional Service also joined in providing security around the court premises.

National Pilot observed that the prime suspect, Abdulrahman appeared visibly thinner compared to his last court appearance, although still dressed in the same jalabia he had worn since the beginning of his arraignment and four others.

Compared to the last court sitting held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, the population of onlookers eager to witness the proceedings has reduced. Security operatives maintained the restriction of access to the court room just like the previous sitting. Only a limited number of individuals were granted access to the courtroom. Even Hafsoh’s father, Ibrahim Lawal was initially denied access to the courtroom and was granted access after the security operatives verified his identity, while journalists and other spectators hanged around within the court premises, hoping for glimpses of the high-profile case.

the vehicle that brought the suspects to court with heavily armed DSS operatives standing guard 

crowd at the court to witness the trial 

The court session, held before Magistrate S.B. Mohammed in Court 8, commenced at 9:12 AM and concluded at 10:20 AM. The magistrate advised the defendants to explore legal options if they wished to challenge the ruling. The prime suspect, Abdulrahman still appeared without legal representative, while other defendants were legally represented.

Arraigned along with Abdulraham Ballo are: Ahmed Abdulwasiu ‘M’, 41 years of Zone C, No 47, Adualere Area, Ilorin; Suleiman Muyideen ‘M’, 28 years, Neolife Business, No. 7 Adualere Area, Amilere Milengbe, Ilorin; Jamiu Uthman ‘M’, 29 years, Phone repairers, Adualere Area, Ilorin and Abdulrahmon Jamiu, ‘M’, 31 years, farmer, Elemere Village via Malete Town in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Announcing his appearance before the court, Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari said: “My lord After the last adjourned date, we received an intelligent security reports pursuant to which we approached your worship that the defendants have been moved to the custody of the Department of Security Service (DSS) for further investigation and it was on this note accepted the request. As we speak, investigation is ongoing and it is at advanced stage.

“We hereby wish to seek for the adjournment of this case till a later date when the investigation would have been concluded.”

Cousel to the 2nd and 4th defendants, A.S. Oseni, raised an objection saying: “During the last sitting, it was said that investigations have been concluded and sequel to that prosecution and the charge that was served on the High Court, a date has been communicated to us which is 15th April 2025, coming to you behind the back door to seek for another order, my Lord the order is something that this Honourable Court does not have right to hear and it beyond your worship.

“The High Court has already seized this case, I hereby urge this Honourable Court back to vacate such order and return the defendants back to the prison forthwith. My Lord these are copies of the charges served on the defendants for clarification.”

Similarly, Counsel to the 3rd defendant in his submission said: “No single provision empower the prosecution with such power to make such order and aligned himself with the position of of Barrister A.S. Oseni and urged the court to vacate the order describing it as babaric, null and void adding that “This court of lacks the power to determine such order because the High Court has seized the case.”

Also speaking, Counsel to the 5th defendant, also urged the court to vacate the order in the interest of justice and fair hearing.

However, Zakari in his argument, stated that: “I most humbly submit that the arguments by the legal representatives of the defendants is an attempt make out Mountain out of nothing. We have informed Your Lordship about the sensitivity and nature of the case which later communicated to vide experte order that investigation still need to continue.

“Also, the defendants are yet to be araigned before that High Court and more so, their case is yet to be mentioned there and they even yet to take a plea. The law that empower us to mention this case before you also empowers you to sit on such order and determine it. If the defendants ot any party have any grouse over this order, they can approach the court of appeal to challenge such.

“Thererfore, there is no condition that can stop you from granting such order. Justice is a tripatite legal arrangements; Justice to the Society, Justice to the Victim and Justice to defendants themselves. On this note, I urge Your Worship to discontenace their position and see it an abberation and attempt to escape from justice.”

The case was therefore adjourned till Wednesday 9th April 2025 for further hearing.