On January 23, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, upheld the death sentence of Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife, Osun State, for the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
Timothy Adegoke, a Master’s student at OAU, was reported missing in November 2021 after lodging at Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife. Subsequent investigations revealed that he had died under suspicious circumstances during his stay. The incident attracted significant public attention, leading to the arrest and trial of Dr. Adedoyin and several of his hotel staff.
In May 2023, the Osun State High Court found Dr. Adedoyin and two of his employees, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, guilty of Adegoke’s murder. Justice Adepele Ojo sentenced them to death by hanging, citing compelling circumstantial evidence. The court noted that Adedoyin’s refusal to testify or provide an alibi weakened his defense. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of Hilton Hotels to the state government and mandated that the convicts’ estates fund the education of Adegoke’s children until they complete tertiary education.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, Dr. Adedoyin and his co-defendants appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal in Akure. During the appellate proceedings, Adedoyin’s counsel, Mr. Kehinde Eleja (SAN), argued that the conviction was not supported by concrete evidence directly linking his client to the crime. He contended that none of the prosecution’s witnesses placed Adedoyin at the scene and highlighted that his client was not present at the hotel during Adegoke’s death. Furthermore, Eleja pointed out contradictions in the trial court’s judgment, particularly the simultaneous condemnation of Adedoyin and the order for his estate to fund the victim’s children’s education.
Conversely, the prosecution, led by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), maintained that the circumstantial evidence was overwhelming. Falana highlighted actions taken by Adedoyin after the incident, such as summoning hotel staff to his residence and allegedly instructing them to deny Adegoke’s stay at the hotel. He also referenced forensic evidence, including bloodstains found in the room where Adegoke stayed, which matched the deceased’s DNA. Falana urged the appellate court to uphold the High Court’s judgment, emphasizing that Adedoyin’s decision not to testify implied acceptance of the prosecution’s evidence.
After reviewing the arguments, the Court of Appeal dismissed Adedoyin’s appeal, affirming the High Court’s conviction and death sentence. The appellate court held that the circumstantial evidence presented was sufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the court quashed the orders related to the forfeiture of Hilton Hotels and the directive for Adedoyin’s estate to fund the education of Adegoke’s children, deeming them inappropriate under the circumstance.
The appellate court’s decision reinforces the judiciary’s stance on holding individuals accountable for crimes, regardless of their social or economic status. The affirmation of the death sentence serves as a deterrent to others and underscores the commitment to justice for victims and their families.
Public reactions have been mixed. Advocates for justice and the rule of law have lauded the decision, viewing it as a victory for the legal system and a step toward ensuring that influential individuals are not above the law. Conversely, opponents of capital punishment have expressed concerns, calling for a reevaluation of the death penalty in Nigeria and advocating for life imprisonment as an alternative.
With the Court of Appeal’s decision, Dr. Adedoyin and his co-defendants have the option to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Legal analysts anticipate that the defense may explore this avenue, seeking a further review of the case. Meanwhile, the quashing of the forfeiture and educational funding orders may lead to separate legal proceedings to address the welfare of Adegoke’s surviving family members.
The case continues to be a focal point in discussions about legal accountability, the application of capital punishment, and the responsibilities of business owners toward their patrons in Nigeria.