- The DSS has taken custody of an Islamic cleric and four others accused of murdering final-year student Hafsah Lawal, whom they allegedly met on Facebook
- Legal representatives confirmed the suspects remain in Kwara State, debunking claims they were secretly transferred to Abuja, as further investigations continue
- The case has been assigned to Justice H.O. Ajayi of the Kwara State High Court, with a mention date set for April 15, amid ongoing legal proceedings
Abdulrahman lured his young lover to his residence where he allegedly killed her for ritual purposes. Image: FB/Hafsah Lawal, AbdulrahmanSource: FacebookKwara student lured to death by Facebook loverHafsoh’s murder case gains momentumDSS will now continue the investigation and prosecution of the suspects. Image: FB/AbdulrahmanSource: FacebookPeople saying that the suspects have been taken to Abuja are spreading misinformation. According to legal provisions, if a case is in court, security agencies can apply for temporary custody to conduct further investigations. That was what happened here. The DSS officers followed due process, obtained court approval, and took the suspects from prison for further investigation. They were never taken out of Kwara State.What I know and I am sure of in this case is that security intelligence calls for further investigation in this matter and that was why they took the necessary application to court for the court to release them. And that was when the DSS officer went to the prison to pick them up. And as God we have it, they were produced in court(). Nobody takes them to Abuja as is being speculated. They did not take them from Ilorin, Kwara State capital. It is all lies that they were taken to Abuja.The further investigation ongoing is what is delaying their arraignment at the High Court. Though they have preferred charges at the High Court and I even heard that the High Court has given them a date. I heard that the High Court gave them the 15th of April for arraignment but subject to the conclusion and the completion of the ongoing further investigation, Dr Ahmed addedDuring the proceedings(before Magistrate Court), the 1st defendant, Abdulrahman Bello, requested to address the court. The court, in a magnanimous gesture, granted him the opportunity. The 1st defendant claimed that he was the only one responsible for the murder of Hafsah Lawal and that the other four defendants were innocent and should therefore be released.The court responded by stating that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, as the charge had already been preferred. The 1st defendant was advised to direct his statement to the judge at the High Court, which has the requisite jurisdiction to try the case. Consequently, the case was adjourned to the 20th of March 2025, for a report on whether the case had been assigned to a High court judge.Last week, the case was officially assigned to Honourable Justice H.O Ajayi of the Kwara State High Court and the court fixed 15th of April for mention of the case. Contrary to what is being circulated in the public domain, the 1st Defendant, Abdulrahman Bello, has not been whisked away to Abuja. He was, in fact, made available in court on March 20, 2025. The prosecution informed the court that they had complied with the ex parte order previously sought and granted.Additionally, the prosecution noted that further investigations are nearing completion and requested an adjournment to report back to the court, should new charges be brought.3A.S. Oseni Esq for the 2nd and 4th defendants and J.J. Hussein Esq for the 5th defendant. Notably, no representation was made for the 1st defendant, Abdulrahman Bello, Barrister Abdulmumim added.Cleric shares how Facebook lover died
