The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the death sentence handed to Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, for his involvement in the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a former Master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Delivering its judgment on Thursday, the appellate court affirmed the decision of the Osun State High Court, which sentenced Adedoyin to death.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal stated, “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.”
However, the court set aside certain aspects of the initial judgment. It quashed the order for the forfeiture of Hilton Hotel and the mandate for Adedoyin and others to provide educational scholarships to Adegoke’s children.
Timothy Adegoke was found dead in November 2021 after lodging at Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, owned by Adedoyin.
His body was later discovered dumped in a bush, leading to a widespread outcry and investigation into his death.
During the trial, key witnesses testified about the circumstances surrounding Adegoke’s death. A police investigator, Afeez Olaniyan, revealed that after Adegoke’s death, two hotel staff members—Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem—wrapped his body in a duvet. The corpse was allegedly taken out in a Hilux van driven by Adedoyin’s son, Roheem Adedoyin, and dumped in a bush.
A consultant pathologist, Dr. Waheed Oluogun, testified that Adegoke’s death was caused by severe hemorrhage due to traumatic injuries.
Adegoke, aged 37, was buried on January 29, 2022, in Eruwa, Oyo State, beside a house he had built for his parents.
His widow, Bolatito, and other family members were inconsolable at the burial. Friends and beneficiaries of Adegoke also mourned his tragic death.
