The Court of Appeal in Akure on Thursday affirmed the death sentence handed to Rahmon Adedoyin, hotelier and industrialist for the murder of Timothy Adegoke.
The appellate court confirmed the verdict of the Osogbo High Court in Osun State, stating that Adedoyin’s conviction was in line with the law.
READ ALSO: Gunmen murder CCC prophet in Ogun church
However, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye overturned the High Court’s decision regarding the forfeiture of Adedoyin’s property to the state and its directive that he should bear the cost of educating the deceased’s children.
Part of the judgment stated that: “The judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands. Adedoyin’s appeal is dismissed in part.”
“Order of forfeiture of Hilton Hotel quashed and set aside. Order of education scholarship to children of Timothy Adegoke by Adedoyin and others quashed and set aside.”
Timothy Adegoke, who was pursuing a Master’s degree at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and was also a chartered accountant, was killed at Adedoyin’s hotel while visiting Ile-Ife to sit for his MBA exams.
Reacting to the ruling, Fatima Adesina, representing the respondent, the state government, on behalf of Femi Falana SAN said; “By the judgment just delivered today by the Court of Appeal, the Court has upheld the conviction by the Trial Court for those various offenses, especially for conspiracy to kill, unlawful killing, accessory after the fact, and some other offenses.
“However, the Court quashed certain aspects of the decision of the Trial Court, especially the decision that relates to the order of the Trial Court mandating the respondent, the convicts, to be responsible for the education of the children of the deceased Timothy Adegoke.
“The Court, in its judgment today, held that for convictions, the jurisdiction of the Court is limited to the statutory provisions as to the penalty provided by the law. So, the statutory provision is either the Court, the Trial Court complies with the maximum penalty or the minimum. Anything outside the two, the Court will not have jurisdiction to do so.
“On that basis, the conviction of the appellant, Dr. Rahman Adedoyin Dayu, to be responsible for the education of the deceased and the forfeiture of his property to the state government have been quashed by the Court of Appeal.”
Crediblenewsng.com
