The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello, a self-proclaimed Islamic cleric, to death by hanging for the ritual killing of Hafsah Yetunde Lawal, a 24-year-old final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education.
Delivering judgment on July 31, 2025, Justice Hannah Ajayi found Bello guilty of murder, dismemberment, and unlawful possession of human parts, describing the crime as “cruel and inhuman.” He also received a 10-year prison term for possession of human blood and body parts.
The court heard that Bello lured the victim to his home on February 10, 2025, after connecting with her on Facebook, where he killed and mutilated her body for ritual purposes. Four co-accused persons were discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence.
The ruling has sparked widespread reactions, with religious and community leaders in Kwara praising the court for delivering justice and warning the public about the dangers of ritual killings and unsafe online interactions.
