Kwara Government Takes Over Case as Cleric Confesses to Killing Final-Year Student

The Kwara State Ministry of Justice has officially taken over the prosecution of AbdulRahman Bello, an Islamic cleric accused of murdering and dismembering Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

During a recent court session, Bello confessed to committing the crime alone and pleaded for the release of his four co-defendants, insisting that they had no involvement. However, the presiding magistrate advised that such a plea should be made at the High Court, where the case will be transferred for trial.

A representative from the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Issa Zakare, informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had reviewed the case and determined that Bello had charges to answer, prompting the Ministry to take over the prosecution.

The counsel representing the victim’s family, Dr. Folorunso Ahmad Hussein, did not oppose the Ministry’s intervention but emphasized the family’s demand for justice.

The magistrate adjourned the case to March 20, 2025, ordering that Bello and his co-defendants remain in custody at the Oke-Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin until their arraignment at the High Court.

This development highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring a thorough and just legal process in response to the tragic incident.