In a significant development, the Osun State High Court in Osogbo has rendered its verdict in the case involving the founder of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Ramon Adedoyin, and three of the hotel’s staff. They have been convicted of conspiracy to murder and the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The court docked the defendants on various charges, including murder, conspiracy, and oath of secrecy.
During the judgment delivered by Chief Judge Justice Adepele Ojo on Tuesday, three defendants, namely Magdalene Chiefuna, Lawrence Oluwole, and Adedeji Adesola, were discharged from the counts of conspiracy to murder and murder. However, they were found guilty of other charges mentioned in the case.
Adedoyin, on the other hand, was found culpable and convicted on several counts, specifically counts 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 15, and 16.
Regarding the evidence presented to the court, Justice Ojo questioned the reliability of the second autopsy reports conducted by two pathologists from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital. The court expressed concerns that the reports may have been influenced by individuals with vested interests.
Furthermore, Justice Ojo established that Timothy Adegoke had stayed at the Hilton hotel and made payments into the account of the seventh defendant.
In delivering the verdict, the court found Ramon Adedoyin, the first defendant, guilty of both conspiracy to murder and murder. The court also determined that Oyetunde Kazeem was directly involved in the acts and held him accountable for the charges.
However, the court concluded that the circumstances surrounding the seventh defendant, Adedeji Adesola, were not strong enough to establish her culpability for counts 1, 2, and 3.
With the conviction of the founder of Hilton Hotel and three staff members, this case has reached a critical juncture. The court’s judgment holds significant weight, highlighting the findings and establishing the culpability of the defendants involved in the conspiracy to murder and murder of Timothy Adegoke, an OAU student.
Key Highlights:
- Ramon Adedoyin, founder of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, and three hotel staff have been found guilty of conspiracy to murder and the murder of an Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) student, Timothy Adegoke.
- Three defendants, Magdalene Chiefuna, Lawrence Oluwole, and Adedeji Adesola, were discharged from the counts of conspiracy to murder and murder but found culpable of other charges.
- The court deemed the second autopsy reports from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital as unreliable, considering them biased due to vested interests.
