The Kwara State Ministry of Justice announced on Thursday that it will take over the case of Abdulrahman Bello, a self-acclaimed Islamic cleric accused of murdering and dismembering Yetunde Lawal Hafsoh, a final-year student at the State College of Education.
During the court proceedings, Barrister Issa Zakare, the legal representative from the Ministry, informed the court that a legal opinion from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) indicated that there is a case against the defendant, Bello, who is to be properly arraigned at the High Court.
Dr. Folorunso Ahmad Hussein, the counsel representing the family of the deceased, did not object to the ministry’s application but urged for justice for the murdered girl and her family.
Magistrate Sanusi Muhammad, who presided over the hearing, adjourned the case to March 20 for further consideration.
He also ordered the remand of the defendant at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin.
After the court session, Dr. Folorunso Ahmad Hussein summarized the proceedings, stating that the state ministry had appointed a principal counsel to take over the case from the police prosecutor and that the application for this change 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 the signing of a death warrant for capital offences, saying that whoever 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 issuing death against those who deserve it, claiming public and those concerned will be able to have a sign of relief.
Meanwhile, the defendant, while leaving the court, pleaded for the release of those who were arraigned with him, claiming they did not commit any offence as alleged by the Police. He said that he singlehandedly killed and dismembered the deceased.
The court, however, told him that he should make such request when he gets to the High Court.
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