•Calls for speedy conclusion of court cases

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has hailed the Osun State High Court over the sentencing to death of the owner of Hilton Hotel and Resort, Ile-Ife, Abdulrahman Adedoyin, for the murder of a post-graduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Timothy Adegoke.

HURIWA, in a statement on Wednesday, by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko lauded the Chief Judge of Osun State, Adepele Ojo, for the courageous verdict of the hotelier found culpable of murder of the student.

The group also called for the swift conclusion of cases piling up at courts across state level and federal level, saying prompt conclusion of cases would serve as deterrent to criminals.

On Tuesday, the hotelier was sentenced to death alongside two others found guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Mr Adedoyin, chairman of the hotel, was charged alongside six of his staff; Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola.

While the hotel owner and three others were sentenced to death, three other staff members of the hotel, namely; Magdalene Chiefuna, Lawrence Oluwole and Adedeji Adesola, were discharged and acquitted by the court.

On Wednesday, the receptionist on duty at Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on the day Adegoke arrived at the facility, Adedeji Adesola, was also sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Mr Adegoke, a Business Administration (MBA) student, had travelled from Abuja to Ile-Ife to sit for his examination. He lodged in the hotel, where he hoped to stay out the period of the examinations but was declared missing by the police on 7 November 2021.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said: “The swift prosecution and diligent conclusion of the case of Timothy Adegoke’s murder is most commendable. There should be immediate punishment for offenders and this is the best way to deter crimes as justice delayed is justice denied.

“Recall that in December 2022, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, bemoaned how the Supreme Court is grappling with 6,884 delayed cases. He said out of the 6,884 cases at the apex court, there were 4,741 appeals in the court’s docket, with 1,495 of them having briefs filed and exchanged for hearing, leaving only 751 as moribund appeals.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke should immediately do the needful and sign the warrant after the court sentencing of the hotelier.

“Also, the courts should embrace electronic system through technology-leveraged courts and virtual court proceedings to declutter cases in the country.”