The Appeal Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the judgment of the lower court that sentenced Rahman Adedoyin to death.
Reading the judgment, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye dismissed the appeal of the appellant against his conviction by the lower court.
But the court quashed the forfeiture of the property of the appellant, Adedoyin, to the Osun State government.
The lower court had ruled that Adedoyin should be responsible for the education of the children of the res, Timothy Adegoke, who died in a controversial manner in Adedoyin’s hotel in Ile-Ife, but the appellant court also quashed the ruling.
Fielding questions from newsmen after the sitting, the attorney to the respondent, Osun State government, Femi Falana (SAN), represented by Fatima Adesina, said: The appellants were convicted “for conspiracy to kill, unlawful killing, accessory after the fact and some other various offences.
“So by the judgment just delivered now today by the Court of Appeal, the court has upheld the conviction by the trial court for those various offences, especially for conspiracy to kill, unlawful killing, accessory after the fact and some other offences.
“However, the court quashed certain aspects of the decision of the trial court, especially the decision that relates to the order of the trial court mandating the respondent, the convicts, to be responsible for the education of the children of the deceased Timothy Adegoke.
“The court in its judgment today held that for convictions, the jurisdiction of the court is limited to the statutory provisions as to the penalty provided by the law.
“So, the statutory provision is either the court, the trial court complies with the maximum penalty or the minimum. So anything outside the two, the court will not have jurisdiction to so do.
“So, on that basis, the conviction of the appellant, Dr. Rahman Adedoyin Dayu, will be responsible for the education of the deceased.
“Forfeiture of his property to the state government has been quashed by the Court of Appeal.”
By Bolu-Olu Esho @TheINDEPENDENT
