In a shocking turn of events, hotelier Ramon Adedoyin has been found guilty of the murder of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) student, Timothy Adegoke, and sentenced to death by hanging.
The verdict was delivered by Chief Judge Oyebola Adepele Ojo at the Osun State High Court on Tuesday, May 30.
The tragic incident occurred in November 2021 when Adegoke, a former postgraduate student, was murdered inside a room at Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife, owned by Dr. Ramon Adedoyin. Following an investigation, Adedoyin and six of his employees were arrested and brought to trial for their alleged involvement in the heinous crime.
Justice Ojo, presiding over the case, determined that the available circumstantial evidence strongly pointed to the unlawful killing of Adegoke while he was a guest at Adedoyin’s hotel. Adedoyin’s refusal to testify in court was seen as detrimental to his defense, as the burden of proof shifted against him due to the compelling circumstantial evidence.
The judge dismissed the alibi presented by Adedoyin’s counsel, who claimed that the hotel owner was in Abuja during the time of the murder.
Justice Ojo argued that Adedoyin’s decision to abstain from testifying essentially implied his acceptance of the murder charge brought against him by the prosecution.
Three of Adedoyin’s staff, namely Magdalene Chiefuna, Lawrence Oluwole, and Adedeji Adesola, were acquitted and discharged by Justice Ojo.
The sentencing of the seventh defendant is scheduled for Wednesday, considering the pleas presented by both the prosecution and the defendant’s counsels.
As part of the judgment, Justice Ojo ordered the forfeiture of the hotel and the Hilux bus that was used to transport the victim’s body to the dumping ground.
Additionally, Adedoyin was mandated to cover the school fees of Adegoke’s two children.
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Adegoke had checked into Hilton Hotels and Resorts in Ile-Ife on November 5, 2021, in preparation for an examination at the OAU Distance Learning Centre in Moro, Osun State, on November 6 and 7, 2021.
Tragically, he went missing and was later discovered buried in a grave following a thorough investigation led by the police, which ultimately led to the arrest and subsequent trial of Adedoyin and his employees.
