CITIZENS COMPASS –The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the death sentence of the owner of Hilton Hotel in Osun State, Ramon Adedoyin, over the murder of a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke.
Adedoyin was earlier convicted by the Osun State High Court but he filed for an appeal.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, upholds the prior judgment which also convicted Adedoyin and imposed the death penalty.
The Court of Appeal had reserved its judgment on the matter since October 29, 2024.
The court’s pronouncement stated, “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.” This confirms the continuation of the original death sentence.
However, the appellate court overturned certain aspects of the initial verdict. Specifically, the order for the forfeiture of the Hilton Hotel, owned by Adedoyin, was rescinded. Additionally, the order mandating Adedoyin and others to provide educational scholarships for Adegoke’s children was also overturned. The ruling further noted, “Order of forfeiture of Hilton Hotel quashed and set aside. Order of education scholarship to children of Timothy Adegoke by Adedoyin and others quashed and set aside.”
Timothy Adegoke’s remains were discovered in November 2021 at the Hilton Honours Hotel, an establishment owned by Adedoyin, where Adegoke had been a guest.
