Appeal Court Upholds Death Sentence for Cleric Convicted of Killing Kwara Student. The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin has upheld the death sentence imposed on self-acclaimed Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, for the murder of his lover, Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.Lawal was murdered on February 10, 2025, in the Olunlade area of Ilorin, Kwara State, in a case that sparked widespread public outrage across the state and beyond.Bello and four other defendants were initially arraigned on charges of conspiracy, murder, unlawful removal and possession of human parts and blood.In addition to the joint charges, Bello was separately charged with rape.
However, the trial court acquitted him of the rape allegation while finding him guilty of murder.The appellate court, in its judgment, affirmed the trial court’s decision, upholding the death sentence imposed on Bello for the killing of the final-year student.The ruling brings to a close one of Kwara State’s most closely watched criminal cases, which generated widespread condemnation and renewed calls for justice for victims of violent crimes.
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.