The government of Osun state has denied rumors being spread on social media that it is plotting to subvert the death sentence judgement on Dr Rahman Adedoyin, affirming that there is no plan to pardon the Hilton Honors Hotel owner.
This was contained in a release issued by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Monday and obtained by SAHEL STANDARD correspodent in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
Reacting to the growing rumour of possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke was quoted as noting that his administration has never and will never intervene in the judicial process, labeling those behind the fake news as public.
He described those behind the fake news as evil minded political operatives who are merely grasping at straws in their desperation to blackmail the state Governor. Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication which has generated deep interest among local and global communities.
“It is important to clarify that neither the State Governor nor his political party has any hidden plot on the said murder case other than a public interest agenda to see culprits in the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law. That explains why no PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and why the state judiciary enjoys and exercises its full independence in the hearing and judgement of the case.
“It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and the state Governor. We affirm with all sense of responsibility that Governor Adeleke is not at any material time a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and did not interfere, intervene or manifest any untoward agenda in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused .
“We therefore urged the members of the public to ignore the repeated rumors of state pardon by Governor Adeleke for the convict and the watery push to link service records of a state judicial official to a popular verdict on the gruesome murder of a postgraduate student. Those peddling such lies are agents of darkness acting on behalf of disgruntled, dark political elements. They are better ignored.
“We convey appreciation to men and women of goodwill who have put up spirited defense for the Governor in the face of this orchestrated falsehood. The undiluted truth is that neither the State government nor the state Governor is interested in the subversion of the wheel of justice”, the statement reads partly.
Recall that the Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, who presided over the matter, in her judgment, had sentenced Adedoyin, and two of his staff members that participated in the evacuation of the deceased from the hotel, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, to death by hanging on Tuesday, May 31, 2023.
However, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, and two of his staff who were convicted for the murder of ex-Masters student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke, by Osun State High Court, filed an appeal against the verdict before a superior court, Court of Appeal, Akure.
Timothy Adegoke was found dead in November 2021 at Adedoyin’s Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife, where he (the deceased) had lodged.
