The investigation into the gruesome murder of Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student at Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has intensified as the prime suspect, Abdulrahman Bello, has been transferred to Abuja. Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the Oke-Kura custodial centre in Ilorin at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Thursday to facilitate his transfer.
While officials at the custodial centre have yet to provide a reason for this development, Bello had been remanded in prison custody until March 20, 2025, by Chief Magistrate Sanusi Mohammed for further hearing.
During his last court appearance, Bello shocked the courtroom by taking sole responsibility for the crime, requesting that his four co-accused be released. “I committed the crime all alone, and I hereby appeal to this court to release them to go freely,” he said.
In a chilling confession, Bello recounted the events leading up to Lawal’s death, explaining that she had come to his house hungry, after which they ate together before engaging in intimacy. “But because God had destined that she will die that day, she died in the process,” he stated. Instead of seeking help, he admitted to dismembering her body and disposing of the remains in a public dustbin, some of which had been recovered by the police.
Legal proceedings against Bello and his co-accused are ongoing. Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari stated that the legal advice from the Attorney General confirmed that all suspects have a case to answer. “Charges have been served on them, and we hereby request that the case be transferred to the state high court for proper prosecution,” Zakari added.
The other suspects, identified as Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41), Suleiman Muyideen (28), Jamiu Uthman (29), and Abdulrahmon Jamiu (31), face charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, possession of human parts, and armed robbery. The offences are in violation of several laws, including Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code Law and Section 2 of the Kwara State (Prohibition Law) of Dealing in Human Parts Law 4 of 2018.
