Abdulrahman Bello, the self-proclaimed Islamic cleric accused of murdering Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has confessed to killing the young woman and cutting off her hands for a money ritual.
Bello, who met Hafsoh on Facebook, told a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Wednesday that he carried out the gruesome act alone because he needed human hands to perform a money ritual known as Oshole.
“I regret my actions. If I had known another way to get the ingredient, I wouldn’t have killed her,” Bello said.
The police had earlier declared Hafsoh missing after she failed to return home from a child’s naming ceremony on February 10.
Her dismembered body was later found in Bello’s residence in Ilorin.
Inspector Ayodele Azeez of the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) testified that several incriminating items were recovered from the suspect’s house.
These included an axe, cutlass, charms, a blood-filled container, Hafsoh’s severed hands and multiple mobile phones.
The officer added that Bello’s confession was recorded in the presence of a lawyer and documented on video, which has now been admitted as evidence by the court despite objections from Bello’s counsel.
Further investigations led to the arrest of four other suspects – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu – after their frequent communication with Bello before and on the day of the murder was traced.
They have all been charged with conspiracy, murder and unlawful possession of human parts.
It was also revealed that the second defendant was Bello’s teacher, while others were either friends or associates.
The crime has sparked outrage in Ilorin, with religious and traditional leaders condemning the killing.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the act as “horrific” and urged clerics to continue preaching against ritual killings.
Justice Hannah Ajayi has adjourned the case as the court continues to review the evidence and testimonies.
