The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Ramon Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife, Osun State, seeking to overturn his death sentence for the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student at Obafemi Awolowo University.

Adedoyin and two of his hotel staff, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, were sentenced to death by an Osun State High Court, while three other staff were acquitted, and a receptionist received a two-year prison term.

Adegoke’s death occurred between November 5 and 7, 2021, during his stay at Adedoyin’s hotel.

The appeal panel, led by Justice Olufemi Akeju, withheld judgment on Tuesday after both parties submitted their arguments, with the court expected to notify them of the judgment date.

Representing Adedoyin, senior lawyer Kehinde Eleja (SAN) argued that the Osun State High Court failed to establish a direct link between Adedoyin and the murder, criticizing the judgment for alleged contradictions.

He questioned the court’s directive for Adedoyin’s estate to fund Adegoke’s children’s education while condemning him to death.

Prosecution lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) countered by presenting evidence, including a forged receipt and testimony that Adedoyin allegedly summoned hotel staff to fabricate alibis.

Falana further pointed to forensic findings, including blood stains in Adegoke’s hotel room, to substantiate claims of foul play. He urged the appellate court to uphold the trial court’s judgment.

Attorneys for the convicted staff also pleaded for acquittal, citing an inconclusive autopsy.

However, Falana argued the forensic evidence and the defendants’ alleged efforts to conceal Adegoke’s death contradicted their innocence.