The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the death sentence of Ramon Adedoyin, a prominent businessman and hotelier, for his role in the 2021 murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
Delivering its verdict on Thursday, the appellate court affirmed the earlier decision of the Osun State High Court, which sentenced Adedoyin to death by hanging after finding him guilty of conspiracy and murder.
“The judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands. Adedoyin’s appeal is dismissed in part,” the court ruled.
While the conviction and sentence were upheld, the appeal court set aside certain orders made by the lower court, including the forfeiture of Hilton Honours Hotel, where Adegoke’s body was found, and a directive for Adedoyin to fund the education of the victim’s children. The court clarified that such penalties were beyond its statutory jurisdiction.
Timothy Adegoke’s death was reported in November 2021 after he checked into Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, Osun State, ahead of an examination at a distance learning center in Moro. Two days later, he was reported missing. His lifeless body was discovered days later, prompting investigations that implicated Adedoyin and others in a conspiracy to murder.
In May 2023, Adedoyin and several accomplices were convicted and sentenced to death by the Osun State High Court. However, Adedoyin appealed the decision, seeking to overturn the conviction and sentence.
The decision to uphold the death sentence has been widely seen as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of violent crimes. The case has drawn significant public attention, underscoring the importance of accountability in high-profile criminal cases.
With the Court of Appeal’s judgment, the legal battle appears to be nearing its conclusion, offering a measure of closure to the family of Timothy Adegoke and the public.
