The owner of the Hilton Honors Hotel, Ile-Ife, Chief Ramon Adedoyin, and six of his staff were re-arraigned on Monday on an 18-count indictment bordering on conspiracy and murder of a Masters student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke.
It will be recalled that Adedoyin and the other defendants in the matter had been on trial, facing an 11-count of conspiracy, murder, and interference with a corpse, among others.
However, the prosecutor, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), after the defence had closed its case, approached the court with an application seeking to amend the charge against the defendants in view of the new evidence before the court.
The application was however opposed by the defence counsel, who said it was brought in bad faith.
At Monday’s proceedings, the defendants were re-arraigned after Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, granted the application seeking to amend their charge.
In her ruling, Justice Ojo dismissed claims by the defence counsel that the amendment was brought in bad faith and that the prosecutor was biased against their clients, saying since judgment had not been given, the prosecutor could amend the charge.
Having struck out the objection, the newly amended 18-count was read to seven defendants, and they all pleaded not guilty.
The amended count partly read, “That you, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle, Adedeji Adesola and others now at large, on or between November 5-7, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to unlawfully kill one Timothy Adegoke, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Vol. II, Cap 34 laws of the Osun State 2002.
“That you, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, Adeniyi Aderogba, Magdalene Chiefuna, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adedeji Adesola, and others now at large, on or between November 5-7, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully killed one Timothy Adegoke and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 306 of the criminal code, Vol II Cap 34, laws of Osun State 2002.
“That you, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, Adeniyi Aderogba, Magdalene Chiefuna, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adedeji Adesola, and others now at large, on or between November 5-7, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully killed one Timothy Adegoke and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 315 of the criminal code, Vol. II Cap. 34 laws of Osun State 2002.
“That you, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, Adeniyi Aderogba, Magdalene Chiefuna, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle, Adedeji Adesola, and others now at large, on or between November 5-7, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did attempt to commit a felony and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 509 of the criminal code, Vol. II Cap. 34 of the laws of Osun State 2002.”
Reacting to the ruling, the prosecutor, Fatima Adesina, commended the decision of the court, while Mr. K. Eleja (SAN), who represented Adedoyin, said his client would call a witness since the charges against him had been amended. He asked for seven days to prepare his witness.
Mr Muritala Abdulrosheed (SAN), who represented the 2nd, 4th, and 5th defendants, said only the 5th defendant would be called again to testify.
The counsel representing 3rd and 6th defendants, Mr. Rowland Otaru (SAN), said his clients would call some witnesses, likewise the counsel to the 7th defendant, Okon Ita, said her client would also testify again.
Justice Ojo then adjourned the matter to Thursday, December 2, for the calling and recalling of witnesses.