In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the death sentence previously imposed on Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin, the proprietor of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, for his involvement in the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
The appellate court’s decision, delivered on January 23, 2025, confirmed the judgment of the Osun State High Court, which had found Adedoyin guilty of conspiracy and unlawful killing. The court stated, “The judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands. Adedoyin’s appeal is dismissed in part.”
However, the Court of Appeal set aside certain aspects of the lower court’s ruling, including the order mandating Adedoyin to fund the education of Adegoke’s children and the forfeiture of Hilton Hotel to the state government. The appellate court clarified that the trial court’s jurisdiction is limited to statutory provisions regarding penalties, and any orders beyond those are beyond its authority.
Timothy Adegoke, a chartered accountant from Abuja, had traveled to Ile-Ife on November 5, 2021, to sit for his MBA examinations at OAU’s Distance Learning Centre. He was reported missing shortly after his arrival. His body was later discovered in a shallow grave near Hilton Hotel, where he had been a guest. Investigations implicated Adedoyin and two of his staff members, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, in the crime. All three were subsequently sentenced to death by hanging by the Osun State High Court in May 2023.
This case has garnered significant public attention, with many viewing the appellate court’s decision as a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for the late Adegoke, who is survived by his wife and three children.
