The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the death sentence of Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, a prominent hotel owner, for his involvement in the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a former Master’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
Delivering its judgment on Thursday, the appellate court affirmed the decision of the Osun State High Court, which had earlier sentenced Adedoyin to death. The ruling marked the conclusion of Adedoyin’s appeal against his conviction.
“The judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands. Adedoyin’s appeal is dismissed in part. The Court of Appeal held that Adedoyin was properly convicted and sentenced to death,” the court stated.
However, the Court of Appeal set aside some additional orders made by the High Court. It quashed the order for the forfeiture of Hilton Hotel, where the crime occurred, and also overturned the directive for Adedoyin and others to provide educational scholarships to Adegoke’s children.
Timothy Adegoke, a 37-year-old Master of Business Administration student, was found dead in November 2021 after staying at Adedoyin’s Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife. His death shocked the academic and wider communities, sparking a legal battle that has lasted over three years.
Adegoke’s body was discovered dumped in a bush after he was reportedly wrapped in a duvet and removed from the hotel. Afeez Olaniyan, the Investigative Police Officer who led the initial probe, testified during the trial that two hotel staff, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, confessed to helping evacuate the body under the instruction of Adedoyin’s son, Roheem.
A consultant pathologist, Dr. Waheed Oluogun, provided evidence that Adegoke died from severe hemorrhage caused by a traumatic injury.
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Adegoke was buried on January 29, 2022, in Eruwa, Oyo State, beside the house he built for his parents. The burial was an emotional event, with family, friends, and well-wishers mourning his tragic death. His widow, Bolatito, broke down in tears and refused to leave the graveside despite repeated pleas.
The appellate court’s judgment has been met with mixed reactions. Many have praised the judiciary for delivering justice.
“This judgment restores some faith in our legal system,” said a resident of Ile-Ife, who preferred to remain anonymous. Others, however, have questioned the quashing of the hotel forfeiture and scholarship orders.