Abdulrahman Bello, the prime suspect in the killing of final-year Kwara State College of Education student Yetunde Lawal (also known as Hafsoh), told a Kwara State High Court that he was tortured into confessing that he killed her.
While opening his defence on Wednesday before Justice Hannah Ajayi of a Kwara State High Court, Bello, described in court as a Muslim cleric, told the court that he acted alone and absolved his four co-defendants of any involvement in the crime.
“I did everything myself. I drank alcohol and then cut her body into pieces,” he told the court.
He claimed Hafsoh died during sexual intercourse after suffering an asthma attack, not by his hands.
“She started gasping for breath during sex. I rushed out to get her inhaler, but by the time I returned, she was already dead. I left again to drink alcohol. When I returned, I cut her body into parts,” Bello said.
The defendant admitted to using a knife and cutlass recovered from his two-room apartment in the Olunlade area of Ilorin to mutilate the corpse.
However, he shocked the courtroom further when he revealed under cross-examination that he did not call for help, report the incident to the police, or attempt to take her to the hospital.
“I was afraid of her father,” he said flatly when questioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The DPP confronted Bello with findings that the victim’s body parts and blood had been drained and preserved in alcohol for five days. Bello, however, denied any involvement in money rituals.
“The blood and hands were not kept for rituals,” he insisted.
Bello claimed he loved Hafsoh and held her in high regard.
“I loved her. I can’t meet anyone like her again. She cared so much about my life. She was the one who encouraged me to write the 2024 NABTEB exam and take the JAMB form. She was exceptional to me,” he said.
Reacting to a confessional video tendered by the prosecution, the defendant alleged it was extracted under duress.
“They beat me and forced me to say that I poisoned her food and strangled her to death,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, the four co-defendants also gave their testimonies in court, all denying any knowledge or involvement in the killing.
Following the close of the defence, all counsel requested time to submit their final written addresses. The judge granted the defence seven days and the prosecution 10 days to file their submissions.
Justice Hannah Ajayi adjourned the matter to July 2, for the adoption of final addresses.