Despite bagging a death sentence for his involvement in the death of Timothy Adegoke, an Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, MBA student who died under mysterious circumstances in November 2021, Rahmon Adedoyin is still very much feared by many in the ancient city.

This level of fear was first exhibited by a former employee of the multibillionaire when he was approached by FIJ for comments on what life was like while working with him.

“Ah! I do not want to speak on the matter o,” the employee, who would not state his name, said.

READ ALSO: ‘The Mark Of a Wicked Man’ — How Killer Rahmon Adedoyin Gave Rams, Cash and Cheques to Osun People

“I don’t want problem for myself and family members. Please don’t approach me again on this matter. Do not also call me again. How did you even get my number sef?

When the former employee abruptly ended the phone conversation, he blocked FIJ from further having a second phone conversation with him.

Another Ife resident, who asked not to be named, told FIJ that Adedoyin enjoys a cult following from a sizeable number of admirers and die-hard supporters in the city.

READ ALSO: ‘Many Thought Rahmon Adedoyin Would Escape Justice’ — Adegoke’s Brother Reacts to Death Sentence

“This is not an exaggeration: Adedoyin is to some people in Ife, what the late Lamidi Adedibu was to his followers in Ibadan,” said the resident.

“Despite his controversial dealings all and around Ife, he has people who are capable of supporting him up to the point of death. He is their Alpha and Omega and can do no wrong. They are ready to die for his cause.

“This is why many people would prefer not to publicly talk about the issue he recently had with the law. Despite his long absence from the city due to the murder case he had to face in Osogbo, people still dread him here in Ife. I would be lying if I said I am not also afraid of him and his followers.”

READ ALSO: FLASHBACK: How Murderer Rahmon Adedoyin Almost Became Ooni of Ife

A third resident, who also spoke to FIJ on the condition of anonymity, said his friend suffered a physical attack in the hands of people believed to be loyal to the Maye of Yorubaland on the day he was sentenced to death.

“On the night of the Tuesday Adedoyin was sentenced to death, one of my friends was at a beer joint talking to another friend about how he felt the judgment was befitting of the crime committed when someone just slapped him from behind,” the resident said.

READ ALSO: BREAKDOWN: How Rahmon Adedoyin Got Death Sentence

“The slap was so hard that my friend fell off his chair. Before he could make it back to his feet, three other men had joined his initial attacker and they rained punches and slaps on him.

“As they were beating him, one of the men accused him of ‘talking loosely’. When he eventually managed to rise to his feet, he ran for his life with bruises all over his body.

“Scenarios like that are the reason most people in Ife would rather not talk about the man. He is still very much feared here. He has die-hard supporters all around Ife.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Court Sentences Rahmon Adedoyin to Death by Hanging

“His philanthropic acts have endeared his supporters to him up to a point that, if he gets accused of committing any evil, they would still publicly defend him, even if it would lead to their death.”

Timothy Adegoke, an Abuja-based chartered accountant, had travelled to Ile-Ife from his Abuja base on November 5, 2021, to write his MBA exams at the OAU Distance Learning Centre.

When friends and family members no longer heard from the student two days after he had confirmed his arrival in Ile-Ife to them, he was declared missing.

READ ALSO: Hilton Hotel Receptionist Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Concealing Evidence of Timothy Adegoke’s Stay

Later, Adegoke’s body was found in a shallow grave at a location very close to Hilton Hotel and Resorts, where he had been accommodated.

Hilton Hotel and Resorts belongs to Adedoyin, and investigations conducted by the police would later reveal that the business mogul was one of the student’s four murderers.

Adedoyin has filed an appeal against the verdict that saw him bag the death sentence.