Crime
[Updated] Adegoke Murder: Court Sentences Adedoyin, Others To Death
Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, the Founder of Hilton Hotel in Ile-Ife, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Osun State High Court. The court found him guilty of the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife.
Alongside Dr. Adedoyin, two employees of the hotel, Adeniyi Aderogba and Kazeem Oyetunde, were also sentenced to death by hanging. Justice Adepele Ojo delivered the judgment in the case.
The court discharged and acquitted three other members of staff, while the seventh defendant will hear her sentencing on Wednesday following pleas by both the prosecution and defendant counsel.
Adedoyin was charged along with six of his workers — Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola — as first to seventh defendants and were arraigned on an 18-count charge which include murder, conspiracy, oath of secrecy among others.
The Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, in her judgment on Tuesday discharged three defendants – Magdalene Chiefuna, Lawrence Oluwole and Adedeji Adesola – from the counts of conspiracy and murder.
However, they were found culpable of other counts in the charge.
Adedoyin was found culpable and thereby convicted of counts 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 15 and 16.
The court held that the second autopsy report signed by two pathologists from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital was thwarted as the court holds that “it’s a report by persons with vested interest”.
Justice Ojo established that late Adegoke lodged in the Hilton Hotel and paid into the account of the 7th defendant.
“I found the first defendant (Ramon Adedoyin) culpable of the conspiracy to murder and murder,” she said.
The court held that the evidence presented before the court placed Oyetunde Kazeem “squarely among those who perpetrated the acts” and he was found guilty of the counts.
The seventh defendant, Adedeji Adesola, was intricately involved in the act but the evidence surrounding her was insufficient to establish her culpability for counts 1, 2, and 3.
Regarding the 1st, 3rd, and 5th defendants, they were deemed guilty as charged for conspiring to improperly and indecently dispose of the deceased body.
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.
Read Also: Wizkid, Davido Using Controversy For Promotion – Portable
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.
Read Also: Davido Ignores Wizkid’s Social Media Jabs
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.
Nollywood Actor Saheed Balogun Mourns Daughter, Zeenat
BBnaija S9 Finale: Eight Finalists Compete For N100 Million Grand Prize
Trump-Endorsed Bibles Stir Controversy In Oklahoma’s $3m School Plan
Old Video Of Wike Campaigning Against Godfather Syndrome Resurfaces
‘Return The Tithe’, Charly Boy Calls Out Pastor Adeboye After Apology
BBNaija S9: Shaun Okojie Clears The Air On Relationship With Victoria
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
