The Osun State Government has stated that it is unaware of any plans to subvert the death sentence on Dr Rahman Adedoyin.

Describing the rumor making the rounds on social media as false, the state government, through a statement by the governor’s spokeswoman, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday in Osogbo, also affirmed that it has no plan to pardon Adedoyin.

Rasheed also revealed that Governor Ademola Adeleke is not a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and maintained that he did not interfere or intervene in the arraignment, hearing, or sentencing of the accused.

Adedoyin, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Timothy Adegoke, is the proprietor of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State.

According to the statement, “Reacting to the growing rumor of a possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke was quoted as noting that his administration has never and will never intervene in the judicial process, labeling those behind the fake news as public enemies.”

He described the rumor as fake news and those behind it as evil-minded political operatives desperate to blackmail the governor.

“Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy, or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication that has generated deep interest among local and global communities.

“It is important to clarify that neither the State Governor nor his political party has any hidden plot in the said murder case other than a public interest agenda to see culprits in the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law. That explains why no PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and why the state judiciary enjoys and exercises its full independence in the hearing and judgment of the case.

“It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and the state Governor. 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,” the statement read.

The Daily Post recalled an allegation from a senior lawyer, Yomi Aliyu, that the state government had secretly planned to retire the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, who had also made the round.

The state government has, however, debunked the rumor.

Adedoyin and two others, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, were sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Adegoke.

The deceased, a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, had died inside Hilton Hotels, Ile-Ife, in November 2021.

Hilton Hotels is also owned by Dr. Rahman Adedoyin, who has since appealed the death sentence.

Adedoyin and other hotel staff members were arrested and arraigned before the Osun Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo.