AbdulRahman Bello and four others suspected to have murdered Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, have pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge against them.

Hafsoh was murdered on February 10, this year.

Abdulrahman and his accomplices appeared before the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin for the commencement of the case.

The first suspect, AbdulRahman was brought to court by fully armed operatives of the Department of Security Service (DSS) in a white Toyota Hilux.

He was solely accused of raping the deceased, an offence punishable under section 283 of the Penal Code CAP P4, Laws of Kwara state.

AbdulRahman and the four others are accused of conspiring and causing the death of Hafsoh Lawal and dismembering her body.

While all the suspects had legal representatives, the prime suspect, AbdulRahman Bello is represented on a pro bono basis.

He was arraigned along with; Ahmed Abdulwasiu ‘M’, 41 years of Zone C, No 47, Adualere Area, Ilorin; Suleiman Muyideen ‘M’, 28 years, Neolife Business, No. 7 Adualere Area, Amilere Milengbe, Ilorin; Jamiu Uthman ‘M’, 29 years, Phone repairers, Adualere Area, Ilorin, and Abdulrahmon Jamiu, ‘M’, 31 years, farmer, Elemere Village via Malete Town in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The five were also accused of conspiring and engaging in the removal of her body parts, draining her blood, and being in possession of human parts and blood.

Following the takeover of the case from the Police by the state government, the prosecution team is headed by the Kwara State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Senior Sulyman.

During the court sitting, it was reported that the DSS has concluded its investigation and the need to return the suspects to the Oke-Kura correctional facility.

Justice Hannah Ajayi adjourned the sitting to Wednesday 7, May 2025 when proper hearing will begin.