Facts
The deceased, Timothy Adegoke, a post-graduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), lodged at the Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on 5th November 2021. The hotel is owned by the 1st Defendant. His son, Raheem Adedoyin (who is at large), acted as the Managing Director of the said hotel. The 2nd to 7th Defendant are staff of the hotel. On 5th November 2021, when the deceased lodged in the hotel, the 7th Defendant was the receptionist on duty. She received the lodging payments from the deceased and allocated room 305 to him for 5th and 6th November 2021. The payment, which was made through bank transfer, was made into the personal account of the 7th Defendant, on her request. The 4th Defendant was the Checker on duty, while the 5th Defendant was the manager on duty. On 6th November 2021, the 7th Defendant handed over to the 2nd Defendant, who was the receptionist on duty for the day while the 3rd and 6th Defendants were the manager and checker respectively.
By the evidence of PW2, the wife of the deceased, she spoke with him on 5th November 2021 at about 8:pm and he confirmed to her that he was at the hotel but tired. On 6th November 2021, PW2 called the phone number of the deceased several times without response. She alerted PW1, a cousin of the deceased who went to Ile-Ife in search for him. When PW1 could not find the deceased at the examination centre for his class in OAU, PW1 and the university management went to the More police station to make a report after searches in the hotels and hospitals close by proved abortive. At this time, PW3, a brother of the deceased, had joined in the search. The DPO at the More police station placed a call to the Chairman of the hoteliers in Ife to check with members if the deceased was lodged in their hotel but was told that the name of the deceased was not on any of the hotel’s lodge book.
