The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has postponed its decision on the appeal of Ramon Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife, Osun State, who seeks to overturn his death sentence for the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student at Obafemi Awolowo University.
Adedoyin and two hotel employees, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, were sentenced to death by an Osun State High Court, while three other staff members were acquitted, and a receptionist received a two-year sentence. Adegoke’s death occurred between November 5 and 7, 2021, during his stay at the hotel.
The appeal panel, led by Justice Olufemi Akeju, reserved its judgment on Tuesday following final submissions from the defense and prosecution. A date for the ruling will be announced later.
Representing Adedoyin, attorney Kehinde Eleja (SAN) argued that the trial court failed to establish a direct link between Adedoyin and the murder, pointing to inconsistencies in the judgment. Eleja also objected to the court’s directive for Adedoyin’s estate to cover Adegoke’s children’s education while sentencing him to death.
Prosecuting attorney Femi Falana (SAN) presented evidence, including a falsified receipt and testimony that Adedoyin allegedly instructed hotel staff to fabricate alibis. Falana referenced forensic findings of blood stains in Adegoke’s hotel room and urged the appellate court to uphold the convictions.
Meanwhile, defense attorneys for the convicted hotel staff argued for acquittal, citing inconclusive autopsy results. Falana countered by highlighting forensic evidence and the defendants’ alleged efforts to conceal Adegoke’s death, asserting these pointed to their culpability.
