The Court of Appeal in Akure has upheld the death sentence imposed on Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, a prominent hotelier implicated in the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a former Master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The court’s decision reaffirms the judgment delivered by the High Court of Osun State and dismisses Adedoyin’s appeal against the sentence.
The tragic case of Timothy Adegoke, whose lifeless body was found in the Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife in November 2021, has raised significant questions about justice and accountability in Nigeria.
Adegoke had checked into the hotel while attending an examination, and his death sparked widespread outrage and demands for transparency in the investigation.
During the appeal proceedings, the judges emphasized the weight of evidence presented during the trial, which implicated Adedoyin and several accomplices in the murder.
The court found that the evidence was compelling enough to support the conviction and the subsequent death penalty. In their ruling, they stated that “the judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands,” reiterating the gravity of the crime and the necessity of the harsh sentence to serve as a deterrent against similar acts.
Adegoke’s family expressed relief at the Court of Appeal’s decision, stating that it brings them a step closer to justice for their son. “This ruling is a victory not just for our family but for all those who believe in justice,” said a family spokesperson.
Dr. Adedoyin, who owns several hotels and is a well-known figure in the hospitality industry, has maintained his innocence throughout the trial and subsequent appeal.
His legal team has indicated plans to challenge the ruling at Nigeria’s Supreme Court, arguing that the trial was fraught with irregularities and that the evidence presented was insufficient for a death sentence.
