The Court of Appeal has affirmed the death sentence imposed on Abdulrahman Bello, a Kwara-based Islamic cleric convicted of the murder of his lover, Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, bringing another chapter of the high-profile criminal case to a close.
In its judgment, the appellate court upheld the decision of the trial court, ruling that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the conviction and sentence were supported by the evidence presented during the trial.
The court dismissed Bello’s appeal, finding no basis to overturn the judgment that sentenced him to death for the murder of Lawal.
The case attracted widespread public attention following the circumstances surrounding the death of the victim, whose disappearance prompted an investigation that eventually led to Bello’s arrest and prosecution.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence linking the cleric to the killing, while witnesses testified on events leading up to the victim’s death. After reviewing the evidence, the trial court found Bello guilty and imposed the death penalty in accordance with the provisions of Nigerian law governing the offence of murder.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, Bello challenged both his conviction and sentence before the Court of Appeal, arguing that the trial court erred in its evaluation of the evidence and application of the law.
However, the appellate court held that the trial judge properly assessed the evidence before the court and reached the correct conclusion based on the facts established during the proceedings.
In dismissing the appeal, the court affirmed that the conviction was lawful and that the sentence imposed remained valid.
The ruling means that the death sentence continues to stand, although the convict retains the constitutional right to pursue a further appeal before the Supreme Court, Nigeria’s highest court.
The judgment has drawn public attention because of the nature of the case and the legal issues surrounding the prosecution of homicide offences in Nigeria.
Legal practitioners note that while death sentences may be pronounced by Nigerian courts, executions can only be carried out after the exhaustion of all available appeals and subject to the applicable constitutional and legal procedures, including the approval required under the law.
The case has also reignited discussions on violence against women, accountability for violent crimes, and the importance of ensuring justice for victims through due process.
Observers say the appellate court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s role in reviewing criminal convictions while ensuring that judgments are based on established legal principles and credible evidence.
With the Court of Appeal’s decision, attention may now shift to whether the convict will exercise his right to file a final appeal before the Supreme Court. Until all legal processes are exhausted, the case remains subject to the provisions of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
