The Kwara State Government is to lead the prosecution of Abdulrahman Bello , the Ilorin based cleric charged with the murder and dismembering of Yetunde Hafsoh.
The State’s ministry of justice gave this indication on Thursday March 6,2025 when Abdulrahman and his co-accused were brought to the Ilorin Magistrate Court.
Barrister Issa Zakare of the Ministry of Justice informed the Court that a prima facie case has been established against the accused and therefore he would be properly arraigned at the High Court in Ilorin based on the legal advice of the State’s Director of Public Prosecution.
A drama however ensued at the end of proceedings when Abdulrahman pleaded that all his co-accused should be released saying he single-handedly killed Yetunde and dismembered her. The Magistrate Court told him he should make such plea when trial begins at the High Court.
The case was therefore adjourned till March 20 and the accused remanded in prison custody.
Summary of proceedings has provided by Dr. Folorunso Ahmad Hussein, counsel to Yetunde Family:
“The counsel informed the court that DPP advice has been released and proper charged preferred at the High Court and filed while parties were served on Thursday morning with the charges at the High Court.
“In that regard, the magistrate would have no option than to terminate that case. But for the fact that they have not been arraigned at the High Court, the magistrate court would have to hold on to the suspects until they are arraigned at the High Court. After being arraigned at the High Court, the case here will be terminated.
“That’s the rational for adjourning the case till March 20 for further mention, pending their arraignment at the High Court. The rationale behind this is that, if this court releases them now, there would be a vacuum. Who holds them on? By the time they’re arraigned at the High Court, the high court will order their remand there. Then, the order of remand here at the magistrate court will be quashed”.
The Police Report on the Case :
#ILORIN: The Killing of Yetunde Lawal and Arrest of Abdulrahman M. Bello
– The Full Police Statement
“On February 11, 2025, at about 1800hrs, Mr Ibrahim A. Lawal ‘M’ of Adefalu’s Compound, Oju-Ekun area, Ilorin, reported at the divisional police headquarters C-Division Oja-Oba; that his daughter, Yetunde Lawal, had attended the naming ceremony of her friend’s baby not far from their place of residence, the previous day February 10, 2025, at about 1400hrs but never returned home.
“Concerned about her whereabouts, her mother contacted some of her friends, but no useful information was obtained. When her father was informed, he made several attempts to call her phone numbers, but the calls went unanswered.
“Her phone number was tracked, and the result led to the arrest of one Abdulrahman M. Bello. The suspect was immediately apprehended and taken into custody. During interrogation, he confessed to the killing of the victim.
Further search at his residence led to the recovery of exhibits, including
I. two mobile phones and slippers of the deceased,
II.dismembered body parts (both hands),
III. a plastic bottle containing the victim’s blood,
IV.a cutlass, a knife, an axe,
V.a wooden box of black soap,
VI.a sack containing charms and
VII. a center table used in carrying out this heinous act.
The suspect Mohammed A Bello has confessed to the crime with the intent to do oshole/ajoo ówò (money rituals).
“The case has been transferred to the state criminal investigation department (SCID) Ilorin, for discreet investigation and subsequent prosecution.
“The Kwara command also extends its heartfelt condolences to the entire family of the bereaved. May Almighty God console and comfort them in this period of grief while assuring that justice will be served.
“The Kwara state police command urges the general public to remain vigilant while reporting any suspicious activities of person(s) to the authorities.”
– SP. Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi,
Police Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Police Force
Kwara State Command
