The Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo has ordered the remand of the owner of the Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife and Hilton Hotel and Resorts alongside six others for alleged complicity in the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a Master student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife.
Other defendants are: Adedeji Adesola (23), Magdalene Chiefuna (24), Adeniyi Aderogba (37), Oluwale Lawrence (37), Oyetunde Kazeem (38), Adebayo Kunle (35).
Other defendants in the case are Raheem Adedoyin, son of the hotel owner, Esther Asifo, and Quadiri Moshood. The three are still at large.
The suspects were arraigned on 11 count charges bothering on conspiracy, unlawful killing, attempt to commit felony to wit killing, dumping of remains of Adegoke inside bush, improper and indecent interference with the body of the deceased.
The defendants were alleged to have dumped the body of Adegoke, his laptop and mobile phone inside bush to cover up that the deceased did not sleep in Hilton Hotel.
They were also alleged to have tampered with the receipt number 9316 and the CCTV camera with the intent to destroy evidence that would prove that the victim visited the hotel.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations leveled against them.
Counsel to the 1st, 3rd and 6th defendants, K. K. Elega SAN, told the court that bail application has been filed on behalf of his clients dated February 23rd.
He noted that charges 4,6,8,10 and 11 where the name of the 1st defendant appeared, showed that Adedoyin is not standing trial for a capital offence and by virtue of Section 157 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Osun state 2018, the court is enjoined to grant bail to the defendant.
He sought an order of the court, admitting his clients to bail pending the determination of the charges.
Also, counsel to the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th defendants, Kunle Adegoke SAN, also urged the court to grant his clients bail.
He noted that the application of the 7th defendant could not be filed because of the amendment of the charge sheet.
However, the prosecutor, M. O. Omosun, urged the court to remand the defendants in correctional center and a date be given for commencement of trial.
Justice Adepele-Ojo thereby ordered the remand of the defendants in Ilesa correctional centre and adjourned the case to March 4 for counsel to file application of the 7th defendant.
Ime N
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