An Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, has sentenced the receptionist on duty at Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on the day an ex Masters student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke, arrived at the facility, Adedeji Adesola, to two years imprisonment.
The State Chief Judge who presided over the matter, Adepele Ojo, pronounced her guilty of conspiracy to fabricate evidence and conceal the fact that the deceased lodged at the facility before he died during the court sitting on Tuesday.
Justice Ojo delayed her sentencing till today, following a pleading for leniency of the court by her counsel, Okon Ita, and the prosecution, Fatimo Adesina.
The hotel owner, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, and two of his staff, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem had been earlier sentenced to death by hanging.
Both Adesina and Adesola’s counsel had urged the court to consider the age of the defendant and the circumstances under which she acted and treat her case with leniency.
Justice Ojo in her judgment, said she took notice of the plea for leniency for the defendant and the provision of Section 411 of the Constitution.
She noted that the court has considered the plea of the 7th defendant and the submission of the prosecution on the need to temper justice with mercy and the court observed and considered the sober disposition of the 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 2 years imprisonment starting from the first day of your arrest.”
