Crime
Adegoke’s Death: Hotel Receptionist Sentenced To Two-Year Jail Term
The receptionist who was on duty at Hilton Hotel in Ile-Ife, Osun State, when Timothy Adegoke, a former Masters student of Obafemi Awolowo University, arrived at the hotel, has been given a two-year prison sentence.
The sentencing was delivered by Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, during a court session on Wednesday.
During yesterday’s court hearing, the judge found the receptionist, Adedeji Adesola, guilty of conspiracy to fabricate evidence and conceal the fact that the deceased had stayed at the hotel before his death.
However, the judge postponed the sentencing to Wednesday (today) after both the defense counsel, Okon Ita, and the prosecution, Fatimo Adesina, pleaded for leniency on behalf of Adesola.
It is worth noting that the hotel owner, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, along with two of his staff members, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, had been sentence to death by hanging.
The court determined that Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, Adeniyi Aderogba, and Oyetunde Kazeem were responsible for the death of Adegoke, who checked into the hotel on November 5, 2021.
Adegoke was later discovered buried in a shallow grave along Ife-Ede by police investigators after he was reported missing.
During the court proceedings, the defense counsel for Fatimo Adesina and Adedeji Adesola pleaded with the court to take into account the defendant’s age and the circumstances surrounding her actions, requesting leniency in her case.
She said, “I have considered the passionate plea of the 7th defendant and the submission of the prosecution on the need to temper justice with mercy. I have observed and considered the sober disposition of the 7th defendant in court throughout the trial.
“I am equally mindful of the circumstances surrounding the case of the 7th defendant. I am not unmindful of the provisions of the Section 411 2(b) of the law. I hereby sentence you Adedeji Adesola to 2 years imprisonment starting from the first day of your arrest.”
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, requiring him to appear in court on October 24.
This summons follows the filing of a 16-count charge of alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has accused Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—of criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion.
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The public summons was issued by Justice Maryanne Anenih on Thursday, after the EFCC reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges.
Bello’s absence led to the postponement of his arraignment, which was originally scheduled for Thursday.
This latest development follows prior efforts to compel Bello to attend court, including a May ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite that mandated his physical presence, as well as a recent order from the Court of Appeal.
Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, has been granted bail of N150 million by a high court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ishaku appeared in court on Monday alongside Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, facing serious allegations including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
The two defendants pleaded “not guilty” to a total of 15 charges during their arraignment.
In a court session on Thursday, their legal teams presented bail applications, which were not opposed by the prosecution.
Rotimi Jacobs, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that he had no objection since the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail.
Judge Sylvanus Oriji approved the bail, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties in the same amount as the bail.
The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.
Additionally, at least one surety for each defendant must hold a director-level position in the civil service.
The court imposed restrictions on both men, preventing them from traveling outside the country without prior approval and mandating that they deposit their travel documents with the court.
Ishaku, 70, who governed Taraba from 2015 to 2023, was previously invited by the EFCC in July 2023 regarding financial transactions during his tenure, resulting in his initial release on bail.
However, both Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 33 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud during a recent operation in Port Harcourt.
The agency announced the arrests via its X account (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The suspects were apprehended in a sting operation in the Iwofe and Ogboro areas of the city, following credible intelligence regarding their alleged criminal activities.
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Along with the arrests, the EFCC seized a range of items, including several mobile phones, laptops, and boxes containing counterfeit United States dollars.
The operation also revealed fake stamps from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs, airport clearance, DHL, and FedEx, as well as two vehicles.
The suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court upon the completion of ongoing investigations.
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