Abdulrahman Bello, the prime suspect in the murder of Hafsoh Lawal, appeared in court on Wednesday alongside his alleged accomplices, as their trial continued before a Kwara State High Court.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented a video in which Bello confessed to killing Hafsoh Lawal, stating that he needed human hands for a money ritual. He admitted that he acted alone and claimed he would not have committed the murder if he had known another way to obtain human body parts.
Inspector Ayodele Azeez, an officer attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Kwara State Police Command, testified as a witness. He told the court that the case was transferred from the C Division at Oja-Oba to the State CID on February 14, 2025.
“The first defendant, from Olunlade, was found with several items including an axe, cutlass, charms, a table, a consultation book, a Techno phone, two iPhones (one being an iPhone SR), a paint bucket containing blood, the victim’s severed hands, slippers, and a container,” Azeez said. “After the case was received, it was assigned to the anti-homicide and anti-robbery teams under the leadership of ASP Dada Segun.”
Inspector Azeez said he was instructed to take Bello’s statement and ensured due process was followed. “I asked the suspect if he preferred any language, and he chose English. I also asked if he had any lawyer or relative present. When he said no, I offered to get him a lawyer, which I did. The lawyer, Barrister A.O. Ahmed, witnessed the statement process, and the suspect signed his confession after reviewing it.”
He added that the statement was recorded on video using his phone, which was later transferred to a compact disk accompanied by a certificate of compliance.
Continuing his testimony, Azeez said that on February 16, the investigation team visited the crime scene in Olunlade, where a pair of earrings belonging to the victim, Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, was recovered. He confirmed that all exhibits presented in court were recovered from Bello’s residence.
However, the defense counsel, Barrister Agbede—standing in for Chukwudi Maduka, counsel to the first defendant—objected to the admissibility of the compact disk, arguing that Bello’s statement was obtained under duress. Other defense lawyers did not raise objections.
Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi overruled the objection and admitted the compact disk as evidence. She also ordered that the video be played in open court.
Inspector Azeez further testified that phone call records from the day of the crime showed frequent communication between Bello and the other defendants. “When brought together, it was clear they knew each other. The second defendant was Bello’s teacher, the third his classmate, and the third and fifth were his closest friends.”
He noted that searches were conducted at the homes of the other defendants, though no incriminating items were found. They were returned to the station for further investigation.
Court proceedings were paused for recess at exactly 11:32 a.m.
More details to follow.
