The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the death sentence handed to Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, for the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a former Master’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University. Adegoke’s body was found in November 2021 at Adedoyin’s hotel, where he had lodged. The court confirmed the May 2023 judgment by the Osun High Court, which convicted Adedoyin and two hotel workers, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, of conspiracy and murder.
The court dismissed Adedoyin’s alibi that he was not at the hotel when Adegoke was murdered and criticized his failure to testify in his defense, which shifted the burden of proof to him. The prosecution’s case of conspiracy and unlawful killing was deemed to have been proven.
While the death sentence was upheld, the Court of Appeal reversed the lower court’s decision to forfeit Adedoyin’s hotel to the state and to provide a scholarship for Adegoke’s children. The appellate court ruled that Adedoyin’s property should be returned, and the education scholarship order was nullified.
Adesina, counsel for the respondent, welcomed the ruling, stating that the conviction was upheld, while the forfeiture and scholarship orders were overturned.
