Hafsoh’s Murder Trial : Video Of Abdulrahman’s Confession To Killing Hafsoh For Ritual Purpose, After Having Sex With Her Played In Court  * How prime suspect’s reaction caused anger in courtroom  * Plus photos 

By Omowumi Omotosho and Bamidele Aremu

Abdulrahman Bello, accused of murdering a graduate of Kwara State College of Education graduate, Hafsoh Lawal, appeared in court on Wednesday for the third time since his case has been transferred to the State High Court,  Ilorin, alongside four other alleged accomplices as proceedings resumed in the ongoing homicide trial.

Earlier at approximately 8:32am before the commencement of the court sitting, a mild drama erupted in court room 4 of State High Court,  Ilorin, where the case is being heard, as a police officer attached to the courtroom, rudely ordered people who were already seated to vacate the court room, citing observance of state sanitation day. The rude approach of the officer created a tensed atmosphere, with spectators exchanging worried glances and murmurs of discontent.

During the hearing, a video footage was presented in which Bello admitted to the gruesome act, revealing that Hafsoh died while they were both having sex after they’ve engaged in foreplay in his parlour before proceeding to the bedroom. He stated that the Hafsoh fainted while they were having sex and this made him afraid.

He further revealed in the video that immediately Hafsoh stepped breathing, he ran out of ideas of what he could do until he drank alcohol and got inspiration to dismember the body and in order not to make the body waste, he kept the two hands for ritual purposes.

Bello stated that had he known a way to acquire the body part without resorting to violence, he would not have committed the murder. He emphasized that he acted entirely on his own and did not receive assistance from anyone.

As the video played, the courtroom grew tense. The victim’s father, Ibrahim Lawal Adefalu, was overcome with emotion. He could barely open his eyes to watch the footage capturing his daughter’s final moments and the horrific account of how her body was dismembered. The anguish on his face told of a pain too deep for words.

In sharp and disturbing contrast, Abdulrahman Bello showed no visible remorse. With his hands resting on his cheeks, he stared at the screen with a blank expression. At one point during the first witness, Inspector Azeez’s testimony, he smiled, causing murmurs of disbelief and disgust to ripple through the courtroom.

Unlike his last time in court, Abdulrahman was not seen with praying bead and his hair has grown a bit.

The first witness, Inspector Ayodele Azeez of the Kwara State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who appeared as a witness in the case.

He said that “on 14th February 2025, a case of murder and rape was transfered from C Division Oja-Oba to State CID. The 1st defendant of Olunlade was found with the following exihibits; one axe, cutlass, table , charms, right and left hands of the victim, consultation book, techno phone, iPhone, iPhone SR, paint rubber, container with blood, slippers and after the case has been accepted at the state CID, it was later reffered to anti-homicide and anti-robbery sections.

“The case was assigned to some team of Police officers led by ASP Dada Segun who directed me to obtain statement from the suspect and I took him to a conducive environment in a room. I asked him which language he prefer to speak and he settled from English Language and I asked him some other important questions that did he have any relative around the police command or any lawyer to witness how his statement will be recorded.”

The police personel added that, “He said No! I asked him if he need the service of any lawyer so that I can assist him to get one. He agreed that I should get him a lawyer but that he doesn’t have any money to pay for the legal service. I told him not to worry about the money.

“I eventually got him a lawyer and the lawyer agreed on how his statement will be recorded. After this, I brought out my statement sheet already cuationed. After writing his statement under caution, he signed it and after recording everything in his own hand writing in the presence of his lawyer, Barr. A.O. Ahmed.

“I told him to cross check again incase there was any ommission or need for addition to the earlier wrtitten Statement and he confirmed the there was no problem and he finally signed the statement.

“After checking the statement, my team leader ASP Dada Segun requested that the lawyer should also endorse the statement which he also did while I also signed my column too as an IPO. ASP Dada Segun also requested me to also do video recording of how the suspect signed his statement.

“I also used my Android Phone to do recording and I transfered it to my laptop and later to s Compact Disk with Certificate of compliance.”

Speaking further, Insp. Azeez said: “On 16th February 2025, team led by ASP Dada Segun left the office and went to the scene of the crime at Olunlade and a pair of ear ring belonging to Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal was found therein.”

He confirmed that all the items presented in court as evidence were indeed recovered from the residence of Abdulrahman Bello.

Barrister Agbede, representing Chukwudi Maduka, counsel to the first defendant, opposed the court’s acceptance of the Compact Disk as evidence, arguing that the defendant’s statement was obtained under duress. Meanwhile, the legal representatives for the other defendants raised no objections.

Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi therefore admitted the Compact Disk as evidence and directed that its contents be played in open court.

The witness further added that, “when the investigation started, Abdulrahman’s call log revealed that the remaining defendants were on his regular call list before the day and the very day he perpetrated the evil act.

“All of them were tracked and arrested. When we took them before Abdulrahman Bello, it was discovered that they know each other, and the 2nd defendant happens to be the teacher of Abdulrahman, the 3rd defendant his also a student of the 2nd defendant while the 3rd and 5th defendant are the closest friends of the 1st defendant.

“We carried search on their houses but nothing was recovered and we returned them back to the station.

The second witness, Barrister A.O Ahmed who witnessed Abdulrahman Bello statement at the Kwara State police command headquarters in his testimony stated that: “On 14th February, 2025, I was in my office. I received a call from Inspector Azeez that I should come to the police headquarters. I met the first accused (Abdulrahman Bello) and Inspector Azeez. I asked the accused if he desired I stand for him in respect of his statement and he said yes. I also answer him if he his willing to make a statement, and he said yes. Inspector Azeez offered him a statement form with a biro.

“He offered a statement in his own handwriting. After the statement, he signed and I left. Shortly after I left, Inspector Azeez called me again that I forget to endorse and I went back. He then decided to video record the statement endorsement. I asked the first accused, was there any addition to the statement he earlier made in my presence, he said no. I endorsed the statement, the first accused too signed after that Inspector interrogated the accused under video recording in my presence and Inspector Azeez signed.”

The third witness, Mrs Aremu Sarah Kosemani, a teacher who also work as translator, informed the court that she was engaged to translate some video evidences from Yoruba to English.

“On 6th of May 2025, I was called by DPP Akande for a translation. He gave me 3 videos. A tape recording of interrogation of Abdulrahman Bello at state CID Ilorin by Dahunsi Eniola. The second is the video recording of Abdulrahman Bello at DSS office, Ilorin. The 3rd one is the video recording of the crime scene at Abdulrahman Bello residence. When I got the videos, I played it and listened to it. The tapes were made in Yourba and I translated it.”

With chilling testimonies and emotional breakdowns, the trial continues as the court seeks justice for Hafsoh Lawal.

Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi, in her ruling, admitted the Compact Disk into evidence, allowed it to be played in open court, and thereafter adjourned the case to June 4, 2025, for further hearing.