By Eseohe Solomon
The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has confirmed the death sentence of Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, a well-known hotel owner, in the murder case of Timothy Adegoke, a former Master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Delivering its judgment on Thursday, the appellate court upheld the decision of the Osun State High Court, which had earlier sentenced Adedoyin to death by hanging. The ruling affirmed that the lower court’s conviction of Adedoyin was proper and legally sound.
The judgment, which had been reserved since October 29, 2024, declared, “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 appellate court quashed the order for the forfeiture of Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife, owned by Adedoyin. It also set aside the directive for Adedoyin and other defendants to provide education scholarships to the children of the late Adegoke.
Timothy Adegoke’s tragic death in November 2021 occurred at Adedoyin’s Hilton Honours Hotel, where the deceased had lodged. The case had sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, given the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
This latest judgment by the Appeal Court solidifies Adedoyin’s fate while signaling a partial reprieve regarding the earlier orders on property forfeiture and scholarships.
The verdict serves as a landmark decision, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance on accountability and justice in Nigeria.