The actual whereabouts of the prime suspect, Abdulrahman Bello and his four other accomplices in the tragic death of the female final year student Yetunde Lawal of the Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, has been revealed.
The revelation came to light yesterday, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Sanusi Mohammed, in Ilorin.
He was brought to the court by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.
Earlier reports last week indicated that operatives of the DSS, stormed the Oke-Kura custodial centre and whisked Abdulrahman Bello and his accomplices to Abuja in continuation of the investigation into his case.
However, his appearance on Thursday before the Ilorin Chief Magistrate court revealed that the prime suspect has been in the custody of the state security service.
Chief Magistrate Sanusi Mohammed, after the court session lasting about one hour, eight minutes, ordered the suspects to be remanded in the custody of the DSS for further investigation and adjourned the case till April 9,2025, after arguments and counter arguments from the prosecution and defense counsel.
During the session, the magistrate advised the defendants to feel free to seek legal redress if they were dissatisfied with the order.
All the defendants were present in court, accompanied by their respective lawyers—except for the principal suspect, Abdulrahman Ballo, who is yet to secure legal representation.
The accused individuals include Abdulrahman Bello, Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41) – Zone C, No. 47, Adualere Area, Ilorin, Suleiman Muyideen (28) – Neolife Business, No. 7 Adualere Area, Amilere Milengbe, Ilorin, Jamiu Uthman (29) – Phone repairer, Adualere Area, Ilorin, Abdulrahmon Jamiu (31) – Farmer, Elemere Village, Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State.
The defendants arrived at the courthouse under tight security, transported in a white Toyota Hilux bus by the DSS operatives.
Representing the prosecution, Chief State Counsel, Issa Zakari, informed the court that ongoing intelligence reports had necessitated the transfer of the defendants to DSS custody for further investigation.
“My Lord, after the last adjourned date, we received intelligence reports prompting us to approach your worship to grant an order for the defendants to be moved to the custody of the DSS,” Zakari disclosed.
“As we speak, the investigation is at an advanced stage. We hereby seek an adjournment until a later date when the investigation is completed.”
However, the defence team strongly opposed the prosecution’s request. Barrister A.S. Oseni, representing the 2nd and 4th defendants, argued that the court no longer had jurisdiction since the case had been transferred to the High Court.
“During the last sitting, it was stated that investigations had been concluded. The charge has already been served at the High Court, and a hearing date of April 15, 2025, has been scheduled. This court lacks the jurisdiction to grant such an order,” Oseni declared.
Similarly, counsel for the 3rd defendant aligned with Oseni’s position, labelling the order as “barbaric, null, and void.” He further contended that the prosecution had no legal grounds to request continued DSS custody.
Counsel for the 5th defendant also urged the court to vacate the order in the interest of justice and fair hearing.
In response, Chief State Counsel Zakari dismissed the defence arguments as an attempt to obstruct justice.
“The defendants have not yet been arraigned before the High Court, nor have they taken a plea.The law empowers this court to issue such an order. If the defence is dissatisfied, they are free to challenge it at the Court of Appeal,” he further submitted.
Zakari said: “Justice is a tripartite arrangement, involving Justice to society; Justice to the victim and Justice to the defendants” urging the magistrate to disregard the defence objections and uphold the order.
Following deliberations, Magistrate S.B. Mohammed adjourned the case to Wednesday, April 9, 2025.