The receptionist on duty at Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on the day the slain Master’s student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke, arrived the facility, Adedeji Adesola, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
Adesola’s sentence was pronounced on Wednesday by the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo.
The judge had on Tuesday pronounced her guilty of conspiracy to fabricate; fabrication of evidence; and concealment of fact, by denying that the deceased lodged in the hotel.
The judge had on Tuesday also convicted the owner of the hotel, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, and two workers of the hotel of murder charges and sentenced them to death by hanging.
While the judge freed three other workers charged in the case, she pronounced the receptionist guilty but deferred her sentencing till Wednesday, following an appeal by her lawyer, Okon Ita, for leniency.
Justice Ojo, in her judgment on Wednesday, said she took notice of the plead for leniency for the defendant and the provision of Section 411 of the 1999 Constitution.
She said, “I have considered the passionate plea of the 7th defendant and the submission of the prosecution on the need to temper justice with mercy. I have observed and considered the sober disposition of the 7th defendant in court throughout the trial.
“I am equally mindful of the circumstances surrounding the case of the 7th defendant. I am not unmindful of the provisions of the Section 411 2(b) of the law. I hereby sentence you Adedeji Adesola to two years’ imprisonment starting from the first day of your arrest.”
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