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The family of Chief Rahmon Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has urged Nigerians, especially bloggers to exercise restraint and caution about their reports on the death of Timothy Adegoke, the Master’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, at the hotel.
The family made the appeal on Saturday in a statement signed by Adedoyin’s lawyer, Abiodun Williams.
They also appealed to security agents, particularly the police to be meticulous and impartial over the ongoing investigations into the matter.
The late Adegoke reportedly died in one of the rooms at the hotel but the circumstances surrounding his death remains controversial.
Adegoke’s death led to the arrest of Adedoyin and some of his staff by the police.
While expressing concern over the issue, the statement said Adedoyin and members of his family are being dragged in the media since the incident, insisting that the business man had no hands in the death of Adegoke.
According to the statement, the educationist could not, as the owner of the hotel, connived with his employees to perpetrate such a crime.
“Like every other Nigerian and a parent for that matter, Chief Adedoyin is saddened by the death of the young man.
“And for the avoidance of any doubt, Chief Adedoyin is not only an educationist and hotelier but also an established business man with investments in different other sectors of the economy.
“So, he does not involve in the day-to-day running of the hotel and indeed his other business establishments as such roles are left in the hands of hundreds of his employees.
“We therefore wish to say, once again, that Chief Adedoyin and members of his family are not ritualists and will never condescend to such devilish act.
“So, we call on the media, especially the bloggers to verify information before going to press and also allow the police to conduct proper investigations on the death of the young man and bring anyone culpable to justice.
“We also urge the police on their part not to be swayed by the social media rumours being spread around on the matter but rather remain professionals in their investigations even as we wish to express our sincere condolences and sympathy to the Adegoke’s family while we pray God to comfort them,” the statement added.
Abiodun Williams should dialogue with his conscience. The lure of filthy lucre, blood money, is exerting a terrible influence on him. I don’t see an honourable person playing the role he has unconsciously pushed himself into.