The court trial over the mysterious death of Timothy Adegoke, the MBA student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, resumed at a high court in Osogbo, Osun State, on Thursday.

Rahmon Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Hotel and Resort, Ile-Ife, where Adegoke had lodged before his mysterious disappearance and later, death, was brought to court, amid a heavy security presence.

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When proceedings began, charges were read out by the state prosecutor, but there was drama right at the end as the accused left the court after trial without passing through the exit known to everyone.

The charges brought against Adedoyin are attempted felony, conspiracy, unlawful interference with Adegoke’s corpse, tampering with the hotel’s receipt and CCTV camera with the intent to destroy evidence that would prove that the victim visited the hotel.

Charged alongside the hotel owner are Adedeji Adesola, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwale Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, and Adebayo Kunle. Other defendants in the case are Raheem Adedoyin, son of the hotel owner, Esther Asifo, and Quadiri Moshood. All three are still at large.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Kunle Adegoke, the defence counsel, would later bring out applications for bail on behalf of Adedoyin and five other defendants, citing health grounds.

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Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, the presiding judge, who is also the Chief Judge of Osun state, however concluded proceedings by ordering that the hotel owner and the other other accused persons be remanded at the correctional facility in Ilesa, Osun State, pending the next hearing.

The matter was then adjourned to February 4.

There was however a mild drama outside the court premises, when it became clear that the defendants had been secretly transported away from journalists present.

It was later revealed that Adedoyin and the accused had exited the court through an unknown exit, and with the help of security officials.

This led to Olugbade Adegoke, elder brother to the deceased, showing his displeasure and also condemning the actions of the police.