The grieving family of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education who was brutally murdered in February, has made a passionate appeal to the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin to release her remains for a proper Islamic burial.

The appeal was formally presented by the Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, during Monday's continuation of the trial involving five suspects charged in connection with the murder.

Abdulrahman Bello, identified as the lead suspect, faces charges alongside four others for conspiracy and homicide. During the court proceedings, Mr. Chukwudi Maduka, the lead defence counsel representing Bello, raised no objections to the family's request and extended his condolences, acknowledging their pain and suffering.

Police Investigation Details

The court heard testimony from three additional witnesses – two police investigators and a pathologist from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Olaleke Folaranmi.

According to investigators from the 'C' Division, Oja Oba, and the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bello voluntarily confessed to the crime. They testified that he led police officers to his apartment, where some body parts were recovered, and subsequently to two separate dumpsites in Olunlade and Okolowo-Eyenkorin where additional remains were discovered.

"By the time we got to the dumpsite, the body parts had already been moved by refuse collectors," one of the CID officers testified. "A scavenger eventually led us to where they were dumped, and the suspect confirmed they were the deceased's remains."

The prosecution presented a video recording showing the recovery of body parts from Bello's apartment. Despite opposition from the defence team, the court admitted the footage along with its certificate of compliance as evidence.

Evidence and Findings

Sergeant Moses testified that Hafsoh was reported missing on February 11. He explained that Bello became a prime suspect after phone records showed he was her last known contact. Upon searching Bello's residence, police found Hafsoh's personal belongings, blood-stained weapons, charms, and human body parts soaked in gin. The officer also alleged that Bello attempted to bribe officers during the investigation.

Dr. Folaranmi, the pathologist, confirmed through autopsy that the remains were human and consistent with those of Hafsoh. His findings were submitted to the court as Exhibit P17.

Presiding Judge, Justice Hannah Ajayi, denied a bail application filed by the defence, describing it as a distraction. She assured the court that the matter would be handled with urgency and adjourned the case to May 21, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.

The case has drawn significant attention in Kwara State, particularly due to the brutal nature of the crime and the victim being a final-year student on the verge of completing her education.