Dr Ramon Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and two of his staff members who were convicted for the murder of ex-Masters student Timothy Adegoke, have filed an appeal against the verdict of the Osun State High Court.
The conviction was related to the deceased’s death at the hotel in question.
In the ruling, Osun State Chief Judge Adepele Ojo sentenced Adedoyin and the two staff members, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, to death by hanging. Justice Ojo also ordered that the hotel be forfeited to the state government and the education of Adegoke’s children be funded until they complete tertiary education, to be paid for from the estates of the convicts.
The judge did, however, free three staff members from the hotel. Magdalene Chiefuna, Oluwole Lawrence, and Adebayo Kunle were cleared of any involvement. Adesola Adedeji, the receptionist on duty on the day of Adegoke’s arrival, was sentenced to two years imprisonment from the day of her arrest.
Muhydeen Adeoye, one of the lawyers who represented Adedoyin in the case, confirmed the appeal had been filed and was made to the Court of Appeal in Akure. The conviction and subsequent death penalties have generated considerable interest from both local and international observers. It is expected the appeal will be closely watched.
