OAU student’s death: Don’t allow Adedoyin die in custody, family tells IG

The family of Ramon Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, yesterday, called on the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, not to allow Adedoyin to die in police custody as efforts by his lawyer to secure release failed since his arrest on November 15.

In a statement signed by one of his lawyers, Mr. Uriah Lawal, the family urged the police to grant him bail or take him to court to prove his innocence.

The family said Adedoyin has spent over 30 days in police detention since the reported death of Timothy Adegoke, a Master’s student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in Hilton Hotel.

The statement reads in part: “His only offence so far – if it is a crime – is that he owns the hotel despite all proven facts that he is not involved in its day-to-day operations. We cannot understand the rationale for his continued incarceration when he has not been found to have any hand in the unfortunate death of the student.

“His Lawyers have expressed frustration about the bail process as the police keep introducing one flimsy condition after the other each time the bail issue is raised.

“At this point, we are inclined to believe there’s a powerful force behind his detention and we fear the worst could happen if the IG does not step in urgently, given Chief Adedoyin’s deteriorating health.

“We urge the IG to use his good office to either grant him bail or charge him to court. Adedoyin is ready to prove his innocence at any time. His conduct so far has shown his willingness to allow the police investigate the case unhindered so that the perpetrators can have their day in court. Holding him indefinitely in police custody will, therefore, serve no useful purpose. The innocent must not be allowed to suffer unjustly.”