By Charles Akinbode
Adedeji Adesola, the receptionist on duty on the day the late Obafemi Awolowo University post graduate student, Timothy Adegoke, lodged at the Hilton Hotels, Ile-Ife Osun state, has been convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
While the presiding judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, sentenced the hotel owner Dr. Rahman Adedoyin, and three other staff to death by hanging yesterday (Tuesday) she adjourned judgement for the receptionist today till (Wednesday) on the ground of allocution statements by the defense counsel, Okon Ita, and the prosecution counsel, Fatima Adesina.
Both the defense and prosecution counsels pleaded with the court to tender justice with mercy considering the role of the convict in unearthing the hidden links in the crime committed.
In her ruling, Ojo, who is the Chief Judge of Osun State, said: “Having carefully considered the allocution statement of the convict’s counsel and the submission of the prosecution on the need to temper justice with mercy in respect of the convict, coupled with her sober posture throughout the duration of the trial, and equally being mindful of the circumstances surrounding the case of the defendant in this matter and not being unmindful of section 411 (2b)(3) of the law on this case, I hereby sentence you, Adedeji Adesola to two years imprisonment starting from the first day of your arrest.”
Meanwhile, the owner of the hotel; Dr. Rahman Adedoyin, the Manage; Adeniyi Aderogba, and the Checker of the hotel; Oyetunde Kazeem, were found guilty of murder and other charges preferred against them.
The three were served death sentence by hanging.
Other three staff of the hotel, Magdalene Chiefuna, Lawrence Oluwole and Adedeji Adesola, were discharged and acquitted by the court on charges of murder, conspiracy, oath of secrecy, among others for lack of evidence.
But Adesola was convicted for manufacturing evidence in the murder and unlawful killing of Adegoke, who lodged in the hotel in November, 2021 to attend his postgraduate examination at the Moro Campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun State.
