March 30, (THEWILL) – Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo on Wednesday, dismissed a “no case submission” filed by the counsels to the Owner of Hilton Hotel, Abdulrahmon Adedoyin and seven others, in the murder case of Timothy Adegoke, the NBA student of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife.
The presiding judge, and Chief Justice of Osun, Justice Adepele-Ojo, had during the last sitting adjourned the matter till Wednesday, after listening to the defence counsel’s plea on no-case-submission and prosecution’s replied to each of the defendants.
Adedoyin and other suspects, including Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Florence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola, were subsequently arraigned on March 3 on 11 counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted felony, unlawful interference with a dead body, altering and intent to destroy evidence.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations against them.
At resumption of hearing of the case on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, M.O Omosun, prayed the court to dismiss submission of counsels to defendants on a no case submission as prima facie had been established based on all evidences presented before the court.
In her ruling, Justice Adepele Ojo said, the prosecution has been able to establish a prima facie through all the witnesses, that Timothy Adegoke lodged at the Hilton Honour Hotel, Ile-Ife and that his body was interfered with and disrespectfully evacuated.
The court, however, considered all exhibits presented by all witnesses and admitted in evidence, saying a prima facie, does not mean that the prosecution counsel must prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge dismissed the “no case submission” filed by counsels to all the defendants and ordered that they enter their defence.
While responding, Kehinde Eleja (SAN), one of the defence counsels, said they were not ready to immediately file their defence, since they were not sure of what the ruling would be and sought for extension of time to prepare for their defence.
Further hearing on the matter has, however, been fixed till 25th of April, 2022.
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