About two and a half years after the gruesome murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), who was brutally killed in his Hilton Hotel room in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the owner of the hotel, Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, and two members of staff were during the week sentenced to death by the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Ojo. TOBA ADEDEJI spoke with Bolatito, widow of the deceased student who expressed delight at the turn of events.

What is your reaction to the death sentence passed on Dr Rahmon Adedoyin and two members of his hotel staff over your husband death?

Killing those who were involved in the murder of my husband, Timothy Adegoke, cannot restore his life, but I was very happy when I heard the news. The murder of my husband has been the source of my sadness every day since 2021, and I have been living in fear as to whether I would get justice at the end of the day. It is so disheartening that my husband left home hale and hearty but failed to return home after he was gruesomely murdered. It was also scary that the perpetrators are even trying to prove their innocence in the matter. But I was happy when I heard that they had been sentenced to death by hanging.

I was inside a church praying when I was informed about the judgment. Although I wept, I give thanks to God. He showed himself strong in this matter. He backed me to get justice. I would have been happier if my husband had come back to life after the judgment. God is faithful! Over my children’s welfare, the decision of the court should be respected, because my husband prioritised their well being. They must be taken good care of. I really appreciate the journalists, Femi Falana, SAN, and all the well-meaning Nigerians who stood for and by me.

How have you been taking care of yourself and the children since your husband died? Do you now have a job?

No, I don’t have a job. I have been looking for a job but I could not find any. The mercy of God has been sustaining me and my children. The people that promised me job never fulfilled it. The little fund that was raised for me was what my children and I have been surviving on. I also pay their school fees from it. God has been faithful to us.

When the case commenced last year, you doubted the court. With this judgment, do you now have faith in judiciary?

Yes, my hope in the judiciary with this case has been rekindled. Some people are casting doubt that he (Adedoyin) might be replaced in prison, but I told them that God who started His work would finish it. I don’t have any problem with that. My confidence is in God. He stood by me, fought for me and vindicated me.

This case shows that there is hope in the Nigerian system. Things are getting better. It is not by our power. Many journalists told us that they had threatened them not to report the matter and they have chickened out. I was once offered a bribe of N71 million to withdraw the case against Adedoyin.

So what was your response to the offer?

I rejected it. They offered same to my husband’s elder brother, which he rejected. They started threatening him but God took all the glory.

What were other offers made with the N71 million?

The person that was sent to us said the money was for us to forget the case. He promised to get us a shop so that I would be selling goods. I told the person that I was not interested in the money but Justice for my late husband.

Have you had some joyous moments since your husband’s death?

No! But the happiest day of my life was the day that Adedoyin and others who murdered my husband were sentenced to dead by hanging. I danced in the church and appreciated God that I was able to get justice. God has commanded it in His words that those who live by the sword should die by the sword. I was happy.

As I was rejoicing over the court judgment, some people asked if I had won visa lottery. I told them that I won what was worth more than visa lottery…

Have you told your children that their father is no more?

Yes, I told them about it and they cried profusely. They even cried more on their birthday. I gave birth to twins with another boy. On their birthday, they told me had it been that their father was around he would have given them money to buy cake, ice-cream and more.

When I got to the school of my children to pick them, my kids noticed that I was happy too. They asked me what happened and I told them. When we got home, they took the picture of their father and prayed for him that his soul should continue to rest in peace.

Have you had any spiritual encounter with him since he died?

I used to dreams about him and he would comfort me. He is irreplaceable in my life. I can’t have another husband.

The court freed three of the defendants in the case. How do you feel about it?

I am very worried about it and at the same time, I am afraid. I am not happy with it.

Is that causing you to panic?

Yes! Because I am in fear that they may come back to harm me. People have been advising me to relocate outside Nigeria because of threats and possible attack, but I rebuffed the advice.

Are you now considering relocating overseas for your safety?

Yes, if I see someone to help me. It will guarantee my safety and that of my children. I don’t want my children to be stigmatised because of the incident.

Dr Adedoyin may Appeal the judgment. Are you bothered that the decision of the court could be upturned?

I am not bothered because I know that they will uphold the judgment based on the fact that the roles they played in the murder has been well proven by the prosecutor.

By Toba Adedeji

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