Justice Hannah Ajayi of Kwara State High Court, Ilorin has granted an application to allow the recovered dismembered body of the late 24 year old victim of suspected ritual killing in Ilorin the Kwara State capital, Hafsor Lawal to be buried according to Islamic rites.
The application was made at the resumed accelerated hearing of the case on Monday by the Kwara State Attorney-General who is also the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Senior Ibrahim shortly after the body was admitted as exhibit.
The first defendant, Abdulrahman Bello and four others are standing trial on charges of conspiracy and murder of Hafsor Lawal.
At the resumed hearing additional three witnesses including two police officers and a consultant anatomic pathologist from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr Olaleke Folaranmi testified before the court.
The recovered body parts were brought to the court while the videos of how they were recovered were also played drawing emotions from the followers of the case.
One Sergeant Moses also gave the account of how the late victim, Hafsor’s phone was traced to Abdulrahman Bello and how he attempted to bribe him as the investigative Police Officer. The police also told the court that some parts of Hafsors body were recovered in Abdulrahman’s apartment while others were recovered at a public dump site.
After an oral application by the prosecution counsel to allow the body parts to be buried, it was granted by Justice Hannah Ajayi.
A total of seven witnesses have so far testified before the court while the hearing has also been adjourned till 21st of May 2025.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
