A Kwara State Magistrates’ Court in Ilorin has ordered the remand of a self-proclaimed Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello, alongside five alleged accomplices, in connection with the gruesome murder of 24-year-old Lawal Hafsah Yetunde, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education.
The court heard that Yetunde was brutally killed and dismembered, allegedly for ritualistic purposes, in a crime that has sent shockwaves through the community.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented by the police, Bello and his co-defendants are members of the same occult group. They allegedly lured, robbed, and murdered Yetunde, subsequently dismembering her body for ritual use.
The five other accused individuals are Ahmed Abulwasiu, Sulaiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and AbdulRahman Jamiu who were also arraigned in court. The police confirmed that additional suspects remain at large, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
During the court session, Prosecutor Matthew Ologbonsaye urged Magistrate Sanusi B. Mohammed to order the defendants’ remand, citing the severity of the allegations.
Due to the court’s lack of jurisdiction over capital offenses such as culpable homicide, armed robbery, and possession of human body parts, the magistrate did not take the defendants’ pleas. Instead, he ordered their remand at the Oke Kura Custodial Centre pending further proceedings.
The matter has been adjourned until March 6, 2025, as authorities continue their investigation.
The defendants, who currently do not have legal representation, face serious charges that could lead to the death penalty or life imprisonment if found guilty under Nigerian criminal law. The case has reignited concerns over ritual killings and cult-related violence in the region, with community leaders calling for stricter measures to curb such atrocities.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to bringing all perpetrators to justice and has urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities related to ritual practices.
The tragic murder of Yetunde, a promising young woman, has sparked widespread outrage, with advocacy groups calling for swift legal action to ensure justice is served.
