The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Hannah Ajayi of the Kwara State High Court, brought to a close one of the most shocking murder trials in the state’s recent history.
The trial began in February 2025.
Delivering her verdict before a packed courtroom, Justice Ajayi described the act as the “highest degree of human wickedness” and a clear case of premeditated ritual killing motivated by a desire for wealth.
The court held that Bello lured the victim to his residence at Olunlade area in Ilorin on February 10, 2025, killed her, and dismembered her body.
In a dramatic twist, four co-defendants – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu- were discharged and acquitted of all five charges. The judge ruled that there was no evidence linking them to the crime.
Justice Ajayi dismissed Bello’s claims of a romantic relationship and intention to marry Hafsat as “concocted lies” meant to deceive the court.
She added that his behavior after the crime suggested it was not his first time committing such an act.
The court accepted the video and written confessions recorded by both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police. The judge said they were in line with legal provisions, with no signs of torture or forced confession.
According to Justice Ajayi, a book on money-making charms found at Bello’s residence further supported the prosecution’s case, reinforcing the court’s belief in his ritualistic motives,
Bello was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide. On the charges of possession of human parts and blood, he received 10 years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine or six months additional jail term. He was however acquitted of rape.
Justice Ajayi used the opportunity to caution the public, especially young people, on the dangers of social media interactions. She noted that the victim might still be alive had she informed her family or friends about her plans to visit someone she met on Facebook.
Dailytrust
The trial began in February 2025.
Delivering her verdict before a packed courtroom, Justice Ajayi described the act as the “highest degree of human wickedness” and a clear case of premeditated ritual killing motivated by a desire for wealth.
The court held that Bello lured the victim to his residence at Olunlade area in Ilorin on February 10, 2025, killed her, and dismembered her body.
In a dramatic twist, four co-defendants – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu- were discharged and acquitted of all five charges. The judge ruled that there was no evidence linking them to the crime.
Justice Ajayi dismissed Bello’s claims of a romantic relationship and intention to marry Hafsat as “concocted lies” meant to deceive the court.
She added that his behavior after the crime suggested it was not his first time committing such an act.
The court accepted the video and written confessions recorded by both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police. The judge said they were in line with legal provisions, with no signs of torture or forced confession.
According to Justice Ajayi, a book on money-making charms found at Bello’s residence further supported the prosecution’s case, reinforcing the court’s belief in his ritualistic motives,
Bello was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide. On the charges of possession of human parts and blood, he received 10 years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine or six months additional jail term. He was however acquitted of rape.
Justice Ajayi used the opportunity to caution the public, especially young people, on the dangers of social media interactions. She noted that the victim might still be alive had she informed her family or friends about her plans to visit someone she met on Facebook.
Dailytrust
Nice 👍 judgment.
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteVery good 👍
ReplyDeleteI just hope the execution will be carried out to serve as lesson to others that are into ritualism and body part sales.
ReplyDeleteThank God🙏🏻
ReplyDeleteJustice is served🙌
ReplyDeleteWhen they start kpaing people like this, the country will get better
ReplyDeleteFair judgment, abeg dem don hang timileyin?
ReplyDeleteUntil they start enforcing capital punishment before I believe they are serious about security issues.
ReplyDeleteThe judgement is great, the question is this,when will he be executed? When was the last time a murderer was executed in Nigeria?
ReplyDeleteI no dey believe all this their judgement biko,na scam.
He should be executed immediately, let them not keep him and be feeding him with tax payer's money.
ReplyDeleteWicked soul.
ASAP. No time to check time
DeleteAs it should be. Nice one.
ReplyDeletePlease, the order should be carried out with immediate effect. I no wan hear say after some years he gets state pardon. Animal! 😒
ReplyDeleteMay the deceased soul rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏
Wickedness of the highest order. May he rot in jail.
ReplyDeleteSelf acclaimed? Abeg he is an Islamic cleric.
ReplyDeleteIf it was a Pastor now, you will say pastor, you won't say it is a self acclaimed pastor.
Just imagine that!
DeleteGood for him, Wicked guy
ReplyDeleteAs in...the heart of men is full of wickedness
ReplyDelete