An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State has reserved ruling till Monday on bail applications for hotel owner, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, and six others arraigned in connection with the death of Timothy Adegoke, a Masters student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

None of the defendants was present during Friday’s session, as the prosecution counsel, M. Omosun, informed the court that they were remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.

Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, who presided over the matter, then agreed that the matter could proceed without the defendants.

Adedoyin, Adedeji Adesola, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwale Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem and Adebayo Kunle had appeared before the court on 11 counts bordering on murder, indecent interference with dead body, administration of extrajudicial oath and alteration to conceal evidence.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre, while their counsel, K. Eleja, SAN, and Kunle Adegoke, SAN, moved for bail applications for 1st and 6th defendants.

But Adegoke said formal bail application could not be filed for the 7th defendant, Adedeji Adesola, because she was added to the matter a day before the commencement of the case, asking for an adjournment to enable him to file formal application for her.

At Friday’s proceedings, counsel for the 7th defendant, Okon Ita, moved formal bail application for her on health ground, adding that seven more reasons had been listed to also support the bail sought by the defendant.

Mr. Williams Ajayi also announced appearance for 1st, 3rd and 6th defendants, while Mr. Muyhdeen Adeoye, announced appearance for the 2nd, 4th, 6th defendants.

Ita also informed the court that the father of the 7th defendant, Kayode Adedeji, was ready to stand surety for her if admitted to bail.

But the prosecution counsel, Omosun, opposed the application, saying a counter-application, an affidavit deposed to by ASP Idoko and a written address had been filed against the bail application.

In her ruling, Justice Ojo, reserved ruling on all bail applications till Monday and notified the counsel that trial would also commence same day.