By Sodeeq Kamsela
An Appeal Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the death sentence of business mogul and hotelier, Chief Ramon Adedoyin, concerning the 2021 killing of Timothy Adegoke, a PhD student from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
The court confirmed the earlier ruling by an Osun State High Court, which found Adedoyin guilty of involvement in Adegoke’s murder at his Hilton Hotel in Ile-Ife.
Timothy Adegoke had travelled to Ile-Ife for an exam at OAU when he checked into the Hilton Hotel, owned by Adedoyin, on November 5, 2021.
Adegoke was later found dead under suspicious circumstances, sparking a nationwide outcry. Investigations revealed that he had been murdered, and his body was later found in a shallow grave on the hotel’s premises.
During the trial, Adedoyin chose not to testify, which was interpreted by the court as an admission of guilt. His failure to present a defence contributed to his conviction. Alongside Adedoyin, two of his employees, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, were also sentenced to death for their roles in the crime.
The original judgment handed down by Justice Adepele Ojo of the Osun State High Court sentenced Adedoyin and his co-defendants to death by hanging. The Appeal Court’s decision to uphold the sentence further solidified the legal stance against the businessman, who had initially appealed the conviction.
The case has garnered widespread attention, highlighting concerns about safety in Nigerian hotels and the prevalence of violent crimes targeting students. Many Nigerians and human rights organizations have expressed their support for the ruling, emphasizing the need for justice in the case.
The death sentence, which has now been confirmed by the Appeal Court, is seen as a significant moment in the ongoing fight against impunity in Nigeria.
