A High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging for killing Hafsoh Lawal, a final year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

Justice Hannah Ajayi, who delivered the judgement on Thursday, described the killing of Miss Lawal as wicked and cruel.

Ms Ajayi noted all evidence proved that Miss Lawal was brutally killed for money ritual, adding Mr Bello’s confession of love to the deceased was meant to lure her.

The judge, however, exonerated four other defendants, including Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen and Abdulrahman Jamiu, of any wrongdoings.

Recall that Mr Bello and Bello and four other defendants were first arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court for the murder of Miss Lawal on February 18, 2025.

The five suspects were charged to court on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, possession of human parts and armed robbery which contravene Sections 97, 221 of the penal code law, section 2 of Kwara State (prohibition law) of dealing in human parts Law 4 of 2018 and section 1(2) of robbery and firearms (special provision) Act CAP R11 Law of the federation of Nigeria 2004.

Kwara State Governor, Abdurahman Abdulrasaq, and Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, condemned the murder, urging clerics and Islamic scholars to focus more on issues of morality and dignity to sanitise the system.