Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has denied social media rumours that he is attempting to overturn Dr Rahmon Adedoyin's death sentence for the murder of master's student Timothy Adegoke at Obafemi Awolowo University.
Adegoke, who had stayed at Adedoyin's Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, was discovered dead there in November 2021.
Adedoyin and two hotel employees were found guilty of murder in a judgment made on May 31 by Justice Adepele Ojo, the Chief Judge of Osun State.
In a ruling that lasted more than two hours, Ojo declared that the circumstantial evidence in the case indicated that Adegoke was killed while a guest at Adedoyin's hotel.
In response to the accusation, Olawale Rasheed, the governor's press secretary, said in a press release made accessible to journalists on Monday that there is no intention to pardon the proprietor of Oduduwa University.
The statement read, “Reacting to the growing rumour of possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke was quoted as noting that his administration never has and will never intervene in the judicial process, labelling those behind the fake news as public enemies.
“Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication which has generated deep interest among local and global communities.
Adeleke stated that he had no ulterior motive for the aforementioned murder other than the public interest goal of seeing those responsible for the heinous conduct get the full force of the law, adding, “No PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and the state judiciary must enjoy and exercise its full independence in the hearing and judgement of cases.
He further said, “It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and me.
“We affirm with all sense of responsibility that Governor Adeleke is not at any material time a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and did not interfere, intervene or manifest any untoward agenda in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused.
