Court Orders Release of Murdered Final-Year Student Hafsoh Lawal’s Remains for Burial in Kwara
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has granted an order for the immediate release of the remains of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education who was brutally murdered earlier this year.
Presiding Judge Justice Hannah Ajayi issued the directive on Monday, May 12, 2025, following a formal request by the deceased’s family to allow for a proper Islamic burial.
Family Seeks Justice and Burial
During the resumed court proceedings, the Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Sulyman, who is leading the prosecution, submitted an application urging the court to allow the family to bury their daughter in accordance with Islamic rites.
“I apply and humbly pray this honourable court to order the release of the remains of Hafsoh Lawal, who was murdered in cold blood by the defendants, so that she can be buried properly and her soul may find peace,” Sulyman told the court.
The application was not opposed by the defence. Barrister Chukwudi Maduka, counsel to the first defendant, Abdulrahman Bello, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said he had no objections.
“I sympathize with the family who lost their beloved daughter. I will not object to the Honourable Attorney General’s request, even though the case is still ongoing,” Maduka said.
Justice Ajayi subsequently ordered the Kwara State Police Command to release Hafsoh’s dismembered body to her family for burial in line with Islamic customs.
Five Defendants on Trial for Brutal Killing
Five individuals are currently standing trial in connection with Hafsoh Lawal’s death. The principal suspect, Abdulrahman Bello, faces multiple charges, including rape and murder, while the other four — Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and AbdulRahman Jamiu — are being prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of human parts.
The case has sparked widespread outrage in Kwara State and across Nigeria due to its gruesome nature and the involvement of multiple suspects.
Police Testimonies and Video Evidence Presented
During Monday’s hearing, three new witnesses testified, including two police officers and Dr. Olaleke Folaranmi, a pathologist from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Police personnel from the ‘C’ Division, Oja Oba, Ilorin, and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) detailed how the first defendant, Bello, confessed orally to the crime and led investigators to his apartment. Inside, they discovered body parts belonging to Hafsoh.
Additional human remains were also retrieved from a dumpsite in the Olunlade area of Ilorin and from the Okolowo–Eyenkorin Expressway.
A video recording showing the recovery of the dismembered body parts in Bello’s apartment was played in court and admitted into evidence, despite objections from the defense team, who argued it was inadmissible under the state’s criminal procedure laws.
Postmortem Confirms Identity of Remains
Pathologist Dr. Folaranmi testified that the recovered body parts were confirmed to be human remains, based on postmortem analysis. His findings were admitted into court records as Exhibit P17.
A police officer also revealed that the victim’s father had reported her missing on February 11, 2025, prompting an investigation. Phone call records traced the last known contact to Abdulrahman Bello, leading to his arrest.
Bail Denied, Hearing Adjourned
Justice Ajayi declined a bail application for the defendants, stating that releasing them would distract from the gravity of the ongoing murder trial.
“This is a serious matter involving murder. Granting bail would derail the process. However, I assure all parties that this court will prioritize and expedite the trial,” she ruled.
The case was adjourned to May 21, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
