Ilorin court remands cleric over alleged ritual killing of student

Ilorin court remands cleric Abdulrahman Bello over the alleged ritual killing of a student, with the trial set to begin on March 6, 2025

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]n Ilorin Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of an acclaimed Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, and four others over the alleged killing of a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

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The court ruled on Tuesday that the suspects be held at the federal correctional facility in Oke Kura, Ilorin, pending the commencement of their trial on March 6, 2025.

The suspects face four charges, including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, possession of human parts, and armed robbery.

According to the prosecution, these offences violate Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code, Section 2 of Kwara State’s Prohibition Law on Dealing in Human Parts (2018), and Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act CAP R11, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Arraigned alongside Bello were:

Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41) – Islamic scholar
Suleiman Muyideen (28) – Businessman
Jamiu Uthman (29) – Phone repairer
Abdulrahmon Jamiu (31) – Farmer

Their pleas were not taken, and none of the suspects had legal representation during their arraignment.

The case came to light when Adefalu Lawal Ibrahim reported to the police that his daughter, Adefalu Hasfat Yetunde, had gone missing after attending a friend’s baby ceremony.

Attempts to reach her were unsuccessful, prompting an official police investigation.

Authorities tracked the victim’s phone to Abdulrahman Bello, leading to his arrest. During interrogation, Bello reportedly confessed to the crime, implicating his co-accused.

The investigation further revealed that the group allegedly killed the victim for ritual purposes and stole her jewelry and other valuables.

Some of her body parts were found in Bello’s residence, while others were recovered at a separate location where they had been dumped.

Police reports suggest the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for multiple ritual killings in Kwara State.