We took oath to conceal OAU student’s death, receptionist tells court

A receptionist on duty on the day Timothy Adegoke was discovered dead says she and others took an oath of secrecy to protect the interest of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife.

Adegoke, a master’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife had traveled from Abuja to write an exam at the OAU’s distance learning centre in Moro, Osun state on November 5.

The student, who had lodged at Hilton Hotel and Resort, Ile-Ife was, however, found dead on November 7.

Rahman Adedoyin, the hotel owner, and six of his workers are standing trial before the Osun state high court in Osogbo in connection with the alleged murder of Adegoke.

During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the receptionist identified as Magdalene Chiefuna gave her account of the matter.

Chiefuna, under cross-examination by Femi Falana (SAN), prosecution counsel, said she took an oath of secrecy.

She said she did not know that the deceased was dumped until when she got to the police station six days later.

Chiefuna disclosed that she only told the deceased had paid for the room when she resumed duty on November 6 but never saw him.

She said when the lodger was not seen in the reception area, she took a spare key to room 305 and opened the door, where she met Adegoke in the room lying face up and wrapped in a duvet exposing only his face on the bed.

According to her, she initially thought Adegoke was sleeping but became scared when she shook his leg.

She said she immediately informed the manager on duty Adeniyi Aderogba of her discovery.

The receptionist said Aderogba also went into the room to check Adegoke and declared that the lodger was dead.

She said Roheem Adedoyin, the MD of the hotel, arrived at the hotel after the body had been discovered.

According to her, Adeniyi later took her and Esther Asigor, the receptionist that was to take over duty, to the MD office where Adedoyin administered an oath of confidentiality to them in order not to disclose what transpired.