A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has convicted and sentenced Abdulrahman Mohad, an Islamic cleric, to death for the ritual murder of Lawal Hafsoh Yetunde, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education. The judgment was delivered by Justice Hannah Ajayi on Thursday.
According to the facts presented in court, the gruesome incident occurred on February 10, 2025, when Hafsoh received a phone call while attending a naming ceremony and subsequently went missing. Her family and friends launched a frantic search before reporting her disappearance to the police at Oja Oba Station in Ilorin the following day.
The police investigators used Hafsoh’s phone records to trace her last known call to Abdulrahman Mohad, leading to his arrest. Four other individuals – Ahmed Abulwasiu, Sulaiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and AbdulRahman Jamiu – were also arrested and accused of aiding Mohad in committing the crime.
However, during the trial, the prosecution failed to prove the offence of conspiracy and the direct involvement of the four co-accused in the crime. As a result, Justice Ajayi discharged and acquitted them.
The court relied on the evidence presented, including a video confession by Mohad, in which he claimed sole responsibility for the murder. In the video, Mohad stated, “I am the only one that killed her. These other people were not there.”
The police First Information Report (FIR) had initially indicated that the suspects confessed to belonging to the same occult group and admitted to robbing and killing Hafsoh for ritual purposes. However, Mohad’s subsequent confession absolved his co-accused.
The conviction and sentencing of Abdulrahman Mohad to death mark the end of a tragic chapter in the lives of Hafsoh’s family and friends. The verdict serves as a measure of justice for the victim and her loved ones.
The case highlights the importance of thorough investigation and evidence-based prosecution. The court’s decision to discharge and acquit the four co-accused underscores the need for prosecutors to build strong cases against defendants.
The judgment also brings closure to a case that has generated significant public interest and concern. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and community involvement in preventing and reporting crimes.
Ultimately, the verdict demonstrates the commitment of the Kwara State judiciary to upholding the rule of law and dispensing justice in cases of heinous crimes.
