Hafsoh’s Murder: We Are Not Guilty- Abdulrahman, Four Other Tell Court, As DSS Concludes Investigation * Court Sends Suspects Back To Oke-Kura Custodial Centre
By Omowumi Omotosho
Abdulrahman Bello, the prime suspect in the murder of Kwara State College of Education graduate, Hafsoh Lawal, alongside four other alleged accomplices, has pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge during their arraignment before the Kwara State High Court presided over by Justice Ajayi in Ilorin on Tuesday.
The suspects were brought into the courtroom at exactly 8:55 a.m. by armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Abdulrahman appeared visibly lean, clad in the same rumbled jalabia he has worn since the case began, with unkempt hair and a weary appearance.
The prosecution, led by the Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, SAN, while presenting the five-count charge which includes conspiracy to kill, murder and dismemberment, involvement in ritual practices, possession of human parts and blood, and rape, informed the court that the DSS investigation has been concluded.
Abdulrahman Bello, who was previously without formal legal representation, was represented pro bono ( legal representation provided free of charge by a legal professional in the public interest) by a non-Kwara-based lawyer, while the third defendant was represented by Barrister Moshood Agboola Yusuf.
Speaking after the proceedings, that last for 20 minutes, the legal counsel to the 3rd defendant, Barrister Agboola described the day’s session as the formal arraignment of the defendants at the high court.
“The business of today was the arraignment of the defendants. The charges were read to them, and they pleaded not guilty. The matter has been adjourned to May 7, 2025.
“The Attorney General informed the court that the DSS has concluded its investigation. Based on that, the judge ordered they be moved to Okekura Correctional Centre. We also requested an accelerated hearing, and the court directed that all necessary witnesses be brought to court on the adjourned date to ensure the trial proceeds swiftly,” he said.
Agboola further confirmed that Bello now has legal representation.
“An Igbo lawyer, has come forward to represent him,” he said.
One of the legal counsels to the deceased’s family Barrister Abdulkadir Ademola Ajasa also confirmed the prosecution’s readiness to begin full trial.
“When the charge was read, all of them pleaded not guilty. The learned silk, Attorney General requested a short adjournment to enable them bring in all their witnesses. The court obliged and adjourned to May 7, with an order that the witnesses should be presented on that day to enable the trial commence without delay.”
The court in its ruling ordered that Abdulrahman and four others be remanded at Okekura Correctional Centre and therefore adjourned the case to May 7, 2025 with order that all witnesses must be present in court.
