•The suspects
In what appears to be a moment of meltdown, Abdulrahman Bello, who claims to be an Islamic cleric but on charges of brutally killing, dismembering and selling off, piece by piece, body parts of a final year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Yetunde Lawal Hafsoh, cried out his guilt but asked that those charged alongside him be freed.
This happened today at an Ilorin Magistrate Court where his trial resumed and while the defendant was leaving the court, reports Daily Independent.
He pleaded for the release of those who were arraigned with him, claiming they did not commit any offence as alleged by the Police.
He admitted singlehandedly killing and dismembering the deceased.
The court, however, told him that he should make such a request when he gets to the High Court where the case would be transferred for the proper trial.
As part of the procedures for the trail to resume properly, Kwara State Ministry of Justice, announced appearance to take over the case.
The legal representative from the Ministry, Barrister Issa Zakare, informed the court that legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is out and that the defendant (Bello) has a case to answer following his subsequent proper arraignment at the High Court.
The counsel to the family of the deceased, Dr. Folorunso Ahmad Hussein, did not object to the ministry application but pleaded for justice for the murdered girl and the family.
Magistrate Sanusi Muhammad, who presided over the matter, however, adjourned the sitting to March 20 for further mention, while he ordered the remand of the defendant in Oke Kura correctional centre, Ilorin.
Speaking after today’s court sitting, counsel to the family of the deceased, Dr. Folorunso Ahmad Hussein, summarised the sitting saying that the state ministry had sent a principal counsel to take over the case from the police prosecutor, adding that the application was granted.
“The counsel informed the court that DPP advice has been released and proper charged preferred at the High Court and filed while parties were served on Thursday morning with the charges at the High Court.
“In that regard, the magistrate would have no option than to terminate that case. But for the fact that they have not been arraigned at the High Court, the magistrate court would have to hold on to the suspects until they are arraigned at the High Court.
“After being arraigned at the High Court, the case here will be terminated. That’s the rational for adjourning the case till March 20 for further mention, pending their arraignment at the High Court.
“The rationale behind this is that, if this court releases them now, there would be a vacuum. Who holds them on? By the time they’re arraigned at the High Court, the high court will order their remand there. Then, the order of remand here at the magistrate court will be quashed”, he said.
Barrister Folorunsho also advocated for signing of death warrant for capital offences, saying that whoever that is convicted by law should face the punishment.
He charged governors across the states of the federation to always do the needful by following the law and issue death against those who deserve it, claiming public and those concerned will be able to heave a sign of relief.
