By TOBA AJAYI

A High Court in Ilorin on Thursday, sentenced an Ilorin-based Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, to death by hanging for the murder of a final year student of the Kwara College of Education, Ilorin, Hafsat Lawal.

Delivering judgment, Justice Hannah Ajayi, 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 cruel act, held that his defence in court showed that he had the intention of killing the victim for money making ritual.

She also held that the confession of love by the prime suspect for the victim with intention to marry her, as said in his defence, were all concocted lies to deceive the court.

The judge also said that 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 of engaging in the act.

The court also held that video and written evidences taken by the officers of the DSS and police from the convict duly complied with law of the state.

It also held that no evidence showed or substantiated beating of the convict or blood stain sustained due to police beating.

The judge said that the convict did not show himself as a witness of truth, ?because all what he said to deny allegations against him were afterthought?, as a book containing secret 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 Facebook male friend before she was killed,? she said.

Bello was also charged with rape, an offence punishable under section 283 of the Penal code CAP P4, Laws of Kwara. (NAN)

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