Confession in Court: Ritual Killing Shakes Kwara

The confession was made by Bello, who is on trial with other accomplices, in a videotape that was submitted as evidence at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin.

The courtroom was startled on Wednesday when Abdulrahman Bello, an Islamic cleric and the main suspect in the horrific murder of Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student, publicly admitted to killing the young woman in order to harvest her for a money ritual.

The confession was made by Bello, who is on trial with other accomplices, in a videotape that was submitted as evidence at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin.

He acknowledged carrying out the act by himself on the video, though, and claimed that if he had obtained human body parts in any other way, he would not have slain Hafsoh.

The trial, which is currently being presided over by Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi, included the disturbing testimony.

Inspector Ayodele Azeez of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) also testified in court, providing a detailed account of the police investigation and the collection of unsettling items from Bello's home.

According to Azeez's testimony, "a murder and rape case was transferred from Oja-Oba Police Division to the State CID on February 14, 2025."

"The axe, cutlass, charms, table, consultation book, blood-filled container, pair of slippers, and the victim's severed hands were discovered in the possession of the first defendant, Abdulrahman Bello of Olunlade."

The handwritten and videotaped statement was then moved to a compact CD and presented as proof.
Barrister Agbede, the defense attorney, argued that Bello was coerced and that the disk was not acceptable. However, Justice Ajayi declared the evidence to be admissible and mandated that the video be shown in court.

Inspector Azeez also testified that the police tracked and detained Bello’s known acquaintances using his call records, which proved continuous contact with the other defendants before and on the day of the murder.

Azeez declared, "All five suspects are connected."

"The first defendant's close friends are the third and fifth defendants, while the second defendant is Bello's teacher and the third is the teacher's pupil."

At precisely 11:32 a.m., the court adjourned for recess, with further hearings anticipated later in the day.