Published 31st May, 2023

By Emmanuel Uti

Adedeji Adesola, the receptionist on duty at the Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on the day Timothy Adegoke arrived at the hotel has been handed a two-year prison sentence.

Adesola was found guilty of conspiracy to fabricate evidence and conceal Timothy Adegoke’s stay at the hotel before his untimely demise.

Adepele Ojo, Osun State Chief Judge, pronounced the judgement at the court’s sitting on Wednesday.

The judgement was delivered during Tuesday’s court session, but the sentencing was postponed until Wednesday following pleas for leniency from both the defence counsel, Okon Ita, and the prosecution, Fatimo Adesina.

Before this verdict, Ramon Adedoyin, the hotel owner, along with Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, two of his staff, had already been condemned to death by hanging.

The court held them responsible for the death of Adegoke, who had checked into the hotel on November 5, 2021, only to be discovered buried in a shallow grave along Ife-Ede by the police investigators days after he was declared missing.

During the trial, the counsel for both Adesina and Adesola appealed for clemency, taking into account the defendant’s age and the circumstances under which she had acted.

In her judgement, Justice Ojo acknowledged these pleas and considered the provisions of Section 411 of the Constitution.

“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,” she said.

“I am equally mindful of the circumstances surrounding the case of the 7th defendant. I am not unmindful of the provisions of 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.”

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