Court sentences cleric to death for murder in Kwara

Justice Hannah Ajayi of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, on Thursday, sentenced an Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, to death by hanging for the murder of a final year student of the state’s College of Education, Ilorin, Hafsat Lawal.

The judge, however, discharged and acquitted Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman and Abdulrahman Jamiu of the murder charge.

Ajayi, who described the offence committed by the prime suspect as the highest degree of human wickedness and a cruel act, held that his defence in court showed that he had the intention of killing the victim for money money-making ritual.

She also held that the confession of love for the victim by the prime suspect, as said in his counsel, was a concocted lie to deceive the court.

The judge also said the attitude of the convict after committing the crime and before his arrest by law enforcement officers showed that it may not have been his first time engaging in the act.

She also held that video and written evidence taken by the officers of the Department of State Service (DSS) and police from the convict duly complied with the law of the state.

READ ALSO: More erosion in PDP, as Dino Melaye dumps ‘impotent’ party

The judge said the convict did not show himself as a witness of truth, “adding that all he said to deny allegations against him were afterthoughts.”

She pointed out that a book containing secrets of money-making charms was found in his apartment.

Justice Ajayi advised members of the public to be wary of the bad influence of social media.

”The victim would have been alive if she had informed members of her family, friends or relatives of her movement or visit to a male friend she met on Facebook before she was killed,” the judge stated.

Bello was arraigned by the state government for rape, an offence punishable under section 283 of the Penal Code CAP P4, Laws of Kwara.

Source: RipplesNigeria | Read More