Timothy Adegoke, a master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, suddenly passed away, and the hotel’s owner, Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin, along with six other employees, have been charged with murder in an altered version of the case by Osun Chief Judge Justice Oyebola Ojo.
On March 3, 2022, police presented Adedoyin and his staff—Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Florence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle, and Adedeji Adesola—before the court and accused them with 11 counts. Adedoyin was not charged with murder, but his crew were—his workers were.
During the hearing, the defense lawyers for the defendants objected to Femi Falana, SAN’s request to modify the charge after taking over the prosecution.
At the sitting on Monday, Justice Ojo ruled that the charge should be amended in line with the application of the prosecuting counsel.
The 18-count charge was read to Adedoyin and his six staff and they all pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and other offenses preferred against them.
Counsel to Adedoyin, Kehinde Eleja, informed the court that his client will call a witness in the next seven days. Other counsel informed the court to recall witnesses.
Justice Ojo granted the defendants leave to call witnesses regarding the amended charge as she adjourned the case to Thursday, December 2 for calling or recalling of witnesses.