Timothy Adegoke: People didn’t believe we would get justice – Brother of slain OAU master’s student

Gbade, the elder brother of the late Timothy Adegoke, a former master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University who was found dead at Hilton Hotels Ile-Ife, Osun State, in November 2021, has expressed satisfaction with the news of the conviction of owner of the hotel, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, and two of his workers, by an Osun State High Court.

Recall that the Osun State High Court on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, sentenced a popular hotel owner Dr Ramon Adedoyin and two others to death Timothy in Adedoyin’s hotel.

Gbade, in an interview with The Punch, said many Nigerians had given up on the case and didn’t believe that justice would be served.

He said, “We had been expecting justice and we all along believed God would take control. When we heard about the judgement, the town (Eruwa), and our family were very happy. We were happy that in Nigeria, we got the expected judgement. We knew all along that the case was against those that were on trial. It was expected and we thank all those that stood their ground for justice to prevail. I was very happy and I still have a lot to be happy about because we succeeded in getting the justice we expected.

“I was not in court on Tuesday for security reasons. A lot came up before the court day that I heard. That was why I decided to wait somewhere as the judgement was being delivered. I was not in court because of security concerns.

“We believed we would get justice when the case started because the spirit of the deceased did not rest. He was speaking to us in our dreams, assuring us that we will get justice. That was what gave me the confidence.

“Since the incident happened, the entire world has been following the development around the case. People were interested in the case and they have been following the case. People have been supporting us since the beginning of this case. When the judgement was delivered, people expressed joy, because they didn’t believe true justice could be served in Nigeria. We appreciate all the people who supported us both in Nigeria and the diaspora. I appreciate the police in Osun State and Abuja for their efforts in unravelling the mystery behind Timothy’s death. I appreciate Oriyomi Hamzat (a popular broadcaster) for his moral and financial support throughout the trial. It was during the period they threatened to take him to Abuja that we got the judgment.”