The Kwara State Government has arraigned AbdulRahman Bello and four others before the State High Court sitting in Ilorin over the alleged murder of a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ms Hafsoh Lawal.
   
The suspects were docked on a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, murder, sexual assault, unlawful possession of human parts, and related offences. The incident reportedly occurred on February 10, 2025.
   
The accused persons are AbdulRahman Bello; Ahmed Abdulwasiu, 41, of Zone C, No. 47, Adualere Area, Ilorin; Suleiman Muyideen, 28, of Neolife Business, No. 7, Adualere Area, Amilere Milengbe, Ilorin; Jamiu Uthman, 29, a phone repairer in Adualere Area, Ilorin; and Abdulrahmon Jamiu, 31, a farmer in Elemere Village via Malete in Moro Local Council of Kwara State.
   
The prime suspect, Bello, was brought to court under tight security by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in a white Toyota Hilux. He is separately charged with the sexual assault of the deceased, an offence punishable under Section 283 of the Penal Code, CAP P4, Laws of Kwara State.
   
All five suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were accused of conspiring to murder Lawal, dismembering her body, draining her blood, and unlawfully possessing human body parts and blood.
   
The prosecution is being led by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Sulyman, following the takeover of the case from the police by the state government.
   
During the proceedings, it was disclosed that the DSS had concluded its investigation and recommended that the suspects be returned to the Oke-Kura Correctional Facility.
   
Justice Hannah Ajayi ordered their remand at the facility and adjourned the case to Wednesday, May 7, 2025, for hearing.