An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced Abdulraman Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife and two others to death by hanging for being culpable and found guilty of murder of Timothy Adegoke, a Master’s student of the Obafemi Awolowo University.
Adegoke died in controversial circumstances at the hotel owned by Adedoyin in November 2021.
Delivering the judgement, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo held that Abdulraman Adedoyin, Kazeem Oyetunde and Adeniyi Aderogba were guilty of the charges against them. They were then sentenced to death by hanging.
They were also sentenced to serve different years of jail terms for other charges such as conspiracy and unlawful interference with the deceased’s body in an attempt to cover up.
Adepele-Ojo held that the vehicle, (a Toyota Hilux van) which was used by the accused persons to convey the body of Adegoke to where he was buried, as well as the hotel belonging to Adedoyin be forfeited to the state.
She also held that the children of late Timothy Adegoke’s education be placed under sponsorship of Adedoyin’s estate up to university level and completion of National Youths Service Corps.
Three of the accused, Adebayo Kunle, Oluwole Lawrence and Magdalene Chiefuna were, however, discharged and acquitted of all charges against them.
Justice Adepele-Ojo adjourned proceedings till Wednesday for the court to pronounce a sentence on Adedeji Adesola, another accused who was also found guilty of charges against her, following a plea by counsel on her behalf that the court should tamper justice with mercy.
