Ontario Review Board
Re: Julius Adigun
ORB File No: 8895
Hearing held on: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Place of hearing: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences 700 Gordon Street, Whitby
Pursuant to: Section 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. P. Capelle Members: Dr. S. Lessard Dr. M. Kalia Mr. K. McKenna Mr. A. Mete
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Julius Adigun Counsel: Mr. M.A. Moon (via video conference)
The Person in charge of Hospital: Counsel: Mr. K. Dow
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. N. MacDonald
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated January 23, 2026)
Introduction
On September 26, 2025, Mr. Julius Adigun was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of second-degree murder and arson, disregard for human life, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (the "Criminal Code").
The Court did not make a Disposition and ordered Mr. Adigun to be detained at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (“Ontario Shores”), pending an initial Disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”), pursuant to s. 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code.
On December 11, 2025, a panel of the Ontario Review Board (the "ORB" or the "Board") convened a hearing pursuant to s. 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. Adigun was in attendance and was represented by his counsel, Mr. Moon.
Preliminary Matter
On the morning of December 9th 2025, the Board received a Virtual Attendance Request from Patient’s Counsel Mr. Moon:
I am recovering from a flu, and am not in a position to travel. I reside in the Guelph/Kitchener area, so it would be a lengthy drive (if not an overnight stay beforehand) in order to attend.
I have read the Hearing Documents, including the Hospital Report from December, 2025; and on behalf of Mr. ADIGUN, I would not be opposing the suggestions of the treatment team.
In the circumstances described, Mr. Moon was permitted to appear via video conference.
Without Prejudice Position of the Parties
Mr. Dow, for the hospital, indicated that a Detention Disposition with the terms and conditions as set out at pages 28 to 29 of the Hospital Report were recommended. That position was supported by Ms. MacDonald, on behalf of the Crown, and Mr. Moon, on behalf of Mr. Adigun. Mr. Moon also conceded the ongoing presence of significant threat.
Background and Index Offences
Mr. Adigun was born in Scarborough, Ontario. His mother was born Uganda and his father was born in Canada of Nigerian heritage. His mother reports that the pregnancy and birth went well, with no complications. Mr. Adigun reached all of his childhood development stages at the expected times.
When Mr. Adigun was 4 years old, his parents separated on good terms. He is the only child they had together. There were no legal fights over custody and child protection agencies were never involved. Mr. Adigun mainly lived with his mother in Brampton but visited his father about once a week. He described being close to his mother and also having a good relationship with his father, though his father often traveled to Nigeria and would be away for extended periods. His father remarried twice, and Mr. Adigun has stepsiblings who in May of 2024 were 23, 20, 9, 8, and 2 years of age.
Growing up, Mr. Adigun and his mother moved between different apartments in Brampton. His mother explained these moves were necessary due to financial difficulties and safety concerns in neighbourhoods where drug use and prostitution were common. Despite the frequent moves, Mr. Adigun always had food, a place to live, and chances to play sports and stay active. His mother worked multiple jobs to support them financially.
During elementary school, Mr. Adigun described himself as a quiet child who could make friends easily. He had good relationships with his teachers. Neither Mr. Adigun nor his parents reported any serious behavioral problems during this time. He did not get into physical fights, steal, set fires, hurt animals, or join gangs. He was never physically or sexually abused as a child.
When Mr. Adigun was in Grade 10, his parents reconciled. He and his mother moved into his father's home in Whitby. However, his father soon began traveling again and eventually moved to Alberta for work. Mr. Adigun and his mother stayed in the Whitby home until they decided to move to Windsor for a "fresh start" at the beginning of Grade 11.
In Windsor, Mr. Adigun stayed active with basketball, dance, and piano. He was described as very social and continued making friends easily. In Grade 11, Mr. Adigun started smoking cannabis regularly and began to prioritize this over his other activities. His friend group and social life increasingly centered around cannabis use. He stopped playing basketball, though he said his cannabis use did not hurt his grades. He explained that he smoked cannabis "because it helped me feel relaxed and calm."
Mr. Adigun graduated high school with average grades. He continued to get along well with teachers and peers, and there were no behavioral problems reported during his elementary or high school years. During high school, Mr. Adigun worked various jobs at clothing stores and Goodwill. He reported frequently changing jobs but clarified, "it's not that I wasn't able to keep a job, it was because I would quit, because my life I was used to moving around and not committing." He viewed himself as a good worker.
After high school, Mr. Adigun attended the University of Windsor for one semester, enrolling in the Social Work program before dropping out. He said he lost interest in the subject. It is possible that cannabis use also affected his ability to continue his studies.
In 2018, Mr. Adigun moved to Calgary to work with his father. He stayed for about three months. His father reported that Mr. Adigun could not keep a job for more than a few weeks due to poor attendance. His father also noticed strange behavior, including laughing to himself in a high-pitched voice and talking to himself. Mr. Adigun admitted to his father that he was "hearing voices." One day, he ordered drugs (described as a "candy type" drug) and a bong to his father's home, telling his father that drugs were "my medicine." This led to a physical fight between them, and Mr. Adigun was forced to leave his father's home.
Mr. Adigun returned to Windsor and moved back in with his mother. After returning, he began having random violent outbursts where he would break things. He became increasingly verbally aggressive toward his mother, despite their previously positive relationship. He began using tarot cards and conducting "rituals" in her basement.
He entered his only long-term romantic relationship when he was around 17 years old. His parents reported that he was 20 when his son was born. He and his girlfriend originally planned to place their child for adoption, but Mr. Adigun's parents agreed to provide financial support for the family. Mr. Adigun enrolled in engineering courses at St. Clair College but quickly dropped out, wanting to work to support his newborn son. He also admitted that around this time, he began using psychedelic drugs, which affected his mental state.
Mr. Adigun's behavior continued to become more unusual. He and his mother were involved in a serious car accident while he was driving. His mother noticed he was more "irritable and angry" and seemed distracted at times. He also became more aggressive when family members questioned his behavior. As a result, he was no longer allowed to see his son.
His parents reported that he last lived with his mother around 2021. His mother contacted a mental health crisis line to get help for her son. However, Mr. Adigun charged at her, and the crisis line operator called the police. His mother locked herself in a bedroom as he continued to escalate. Mr. Adigun destroyed objects in the home and kept charging at the locked door. When police arrived, Mr. Adigun "acted as though nothing had happened." He was taken to hospital and admitted for psychiatric treatment. He was later discharged to a group home, where he stayed for about one year. With help from the group home, he found his own housing. However, he would disappear for periods of time, and his parents would not know where he was. They would report him as a missing vulnerable person. On one occasion, Mr. Adigun's parents learned he had been arrested in Montreal but was then released.
Mr. Adigun again lived with his father between 2022 and 2023. He experienced a few months of stability during this time, regularly attending outpatient hospital appointments and taking his medication as prescribed. However, when his father traveled to Nigeria for two months, he received phone calls from his girlfriend saying that Mr. Adigun had started acting oddly again and had resumed talking to himself. When Mr. Adigun's father returned home in 2023, it was clear that his son had stopped taking his medication and had started using substances again. At one point, Mr. Adigun asked to be dropped off at the bus station. The family had no contact with him until just before the Index Offences, when he asked to live with his father again.
In recent years, his family reported that Mr. Adigun struggled to keep jobs due to missing work, feeling tired, and behaving unpredictably. He is now financially supported through the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Mr. Adigun’s first psychiatric contact occurred in September of 2019 at the Emergency Department of the Windsor Regional Hospital. It was followed by several visits to that hospital’s Emergency Department and two relatively short admission through to October of 2021. Thereafter, he was admitted to Toronto’s University Health Network Hospital for two-week period between August and September of 2022 and subsequently followed by Dr. Chawla on an outpatient basis for several months until he failed to attend at a follow up appointment. In the first quarter of 2023 Mr. Adigun was seen at the Emergency Department of CAMH on January 23rd the assessment note is reproduced below:
When assessed, Mr. Adigun endorsed experiencing auditory hallucinations. He denied having attempted to commit suicide. He admitted to smoking cannabis and tobacco but denied other drug use. Initially he was agreeable to a voluntary admission, however then subsequently declined. On mental status exam, he was “guarded…internally preoccupied and responding to internal stimuli. His affect was restricted and blunt. He endorsed command auditory hallucinations.” He did not voice any delusions, and his thought process was linear. His insight and judgment were limited. Given ongoing risk of harm to self, Mr. Adigun was placed on a Form 1. Mr. Adigun was prescribed Abilify, and it was recommended that he be placed on a long acting injectable form of this medication. A voicemail was left for Dr. Chawla.
As CAMH did not have any available beds, Mr. Adigun was transferred to the Scarbrough Health Network where he remained until February 15th.
The circumstances of the index offences are taken from the Hospital Report as follows:
“In July 2023, Mr. Adigun rented a room in the basement of 24 Pennyroyal Crescent in Brampton. He had one roommate in the basement apartment, Mr. Ambrose.
On July 2, 2023, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Mr. Ambrose entered the basement apartment. Mr. Adigun was already inside. CCTV footage obtained from 18 Pennyroyal Crescent showed Mr. Adigun outside at 1:46 p.m. in a verbal argument with himself. He was stomping his feet and screaming “fuck you, fuck you,” as well as other utterances that cannot be understood. Mr. Adigun left the residence and was found collapsed inside a bus shelter at 2:30 p.m. Emergency medical personnel were contacted via 911. An ambulance attended and Mr. Adigun was transported to Brampton Civic Hospital.
On this same day at 2 p.m., a resident of the upper floors at 24 Pennyroyal Crescent contacted the police to report an active fire in the basement of the residence. Brampton Fire attended and located Mr. Ambrose unresponsive and on fire in the basement unit. Mr. Ambrose was transported to Sunnybrook Hospital. Doctors pronounced Mr. Ambrose dead at 6:10 p.m.
A Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Bellis, found that Mr. Ambrose appeared to have been beaten on the chest, neck, and head. Trauma to Mr. Ambrose was described as severe. The injuries to his head and neck were similar to injuries someone would suffer in a car crash. Soot was found in Mr. Ambrose’s airways with an undetermined amount of carbon monoxide. He had third degree burns on 60 percent of his body.
When Brampton Fire personnel were in the residence, they noticed blood splatter on the wall near where Mr. Ambrose was located. The police were notified.
Police believed that Mr. Adigun was involved and immediately attended the hospital to speak to him. Mr. Adigun was intubated and unable to speak. While in the hospital room, the police observed dried blood on Mr. Adigun’s shoes. Police seized the shoes. Police also observed that Mr. Adigun had swollen knuckles and a swollen right hand. An officer also observed a blood stain between Mr. Adigun’s right index knuckle and middle finger.
On July 4, 2023, police reattended the hospital to see Mr. Adigun. He was in and out of consciousness. The two officers wearing body worn cameras captured Mr. Adigun losing control and attempting to grab, throw, and destroy medical equipment. The two officers tried to gain control of Mr. Adigun and during the struggle, Mr. Adigun bit the right arm of one of the officers. Mr. Adigun had to be restrained and injected to calm him down. While waiting for the injections to take effect, Mr. Adigun engaged in auditory hallucinations. He said things such as “they are torturing me.”
On July 5, 2023, police attended the hospital and spoke to Mr. Adigun. In a videotaped statement, Mr. Adigun confessed to killing Mr. Ambrose by kicking him numerous times in the head and then setting the fire. Mr. Adigun admitted that his actions were the primary cause of Mr. Ambrose’s death and that he committed Mr. Ambrose’s death unlawfully.”
Current Diagnoses
- Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive Type
- Cannabis Use Disorder, moderate, in early remission
- Alcohol Use Disorder, moderate, in early remission
Evidence at Hearing
Dr. Harrigan gave evidence on behalf of the hospital. She testified that she assessed Mr. Adigun in March of 2024 with regard to criminal responsibility and has been his treating psychiatrist since that time. Dr. Harrigan confirmed that she has authored and adopts the contents of the Hospital Report.
Mr. Adigun has been compliant with prescribed medications and using escorted privileges off unit. He is working with a psychologist to challenge his residual beliefs which include auditory hallucinations that are not command in nature. Mr. Adigun shows good insight vis-à-vis his illness and need for treatment. There are no plans to adjust his prescribed medications at present.
The rationale for the recommended terms and conditions is to allow Mr. Adigun to exercise privileges in a gradual manner so he can become familiar with his new environment. It is possible, during the latter part of this reporting year, that he could achieve indirect privileges. Mr. Adigun is currently on the assessment unit. It is anticipated he will be moved to a secure rehabilitation unit in the new year and thereafter to a general forensic unit approximately six months later.
Mr. Adigun’s risk to public safety is set out at page 27 of the Hospital Report. His substance use disorders will begin to be addressed once he is transferred to a rehabilitation unit.
Addressing the possible use of indirectly supervised privileges, Dr. Harrigan advised that patients are always assessed to determine if they are appropriate to use all privileges within their Disposition prior to those privileges being granted.
Mr. Adigun has expressed remorse vis-à-vis the index offence and an act of violence which occurred on the Forensic Assessment Rehabilitation Unit (FARU) at Ontario Shores subsequent to his initial meeting with Dr. Harrigan. He nevertheless perceives himself as very prosocial. Dr. Harrigan added that there is no evidence of antisociality in Mr. Adigun’s personality structure.
Responding to questions from Mr. Moon, Dr. Harrigan confirmed that any privileges accorded to Mr. Adigun can be withheld if he is assessed as inappropriate to exercise them.
Responding to questions from the panel, Dr. Harrigan agreed with the suggestion that her patient appreciates the need for a graduated approach to treatment. Mr. Adigun showed insight in indicating he did not wish to be transferred to the FARU unit where his previous incident of violence occurred.
Mr. Adigun is currently receiving four different antipsychotics and continues to experience symptoms of his mental illness. He still hears voices commenting on what he is doing although these are not command in nature and not bothersome to him. He is benefitting from his treatment regimen although his symptoms have not resolved.
Regrettably, there has been no contact with Mr. Adigun’s mother since admission. Dr. Harrigan last spoke with her in June of 2024 when consent to treatment was requested and obtained. Mr. Adigun continues regular contact with his father.
Asked about the omission of a community living clause, Dr. Harrigan responded that inclusion of this term would be anxiety provoking for Mr. Adigun. She added that it is important that the Disposition only include provisions that both Mr. Adigun and the treatment team perceive as reasonably achievable.
Closing Observations
Ms. MacDonald noted that Mr. Adigun was remorseful but nevertheless, referenced pages 40 to 42 of the Court transcript which contains the Victim Impact Statements. She emphasized that this was not a victimless crime.
Mr. Moon reiterated that Mr. Adigun accepts the joint recommendation and understands that any privileges granted to him can be revoked; further, that the use of marijuana or alcohol will result in privilege revocation.
Analysis and Decision
(a) Significant Threat
Ongoing significant threat to the safety of the public cannot be speculative. It must entail a real risk of serious physical or psychological harm arising from conduct that is both serious and criminal in nature.
In determining whether Mr. Adigun continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public the Board has carefully analyzed the evidence as it relates to the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Winko, 1999 CanLII 694 (SCC), [1999] 2 S.C.R. 625.
The Board unanimously finds that Mr. Adigun continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public. In arriving at this independent determination, the Board considered the joint position of the parties and accepted the uncontroverted evidence of Dr. Harrigan that Mr. Adigun continues to pose a significant threat. The Board also relies on the Hospital Report and the clinical areas of concern set out at page 27 and reproduced below for ease of reference:
- Mr. Adigun suffers from a serious major mental illness, that being Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive type. He also has co-morbid diagnoses of cannabis use disorder and alcohol use disorder.
- He committed the most serious offence, which was the murder of his roommate whilst he was acutely unwell
- Mr. Adigun committed further acts of violence on FARU, a secure forensic unit, without warning and despite being treated with medication, necessitating his transfer to FAU (the most secure unit)
- Symptoms of Mr. Adigun’s illness are treatment resistant, and it has taken a number of trials with various antipsychotic, mood stabilizing, and anxiolytic agents to manage his symptom burden.
- Mr. Adigun is sensitive to stress and to having a lack of sleep. During times of stress, or when his sleep is inadequate, his symptom burden has increased despite there having been no changes to his medications
These factors are somewhat mitigated although not yet controlled by Mr. Adigun’s ongoing medication compliance, improved mental stability on his current medication regime and meaningful participation in psychosocial programming.
Given the foregoing, the Board accepts that absent an ORB Disposition, Mr. Adigun would likely become non-compliant with prescribed medications which would lead to decompensation, use of substances and the re-emergence of behaviours similar to those seen at the time of the index offences. We are satisfied that absent an ORB Disposition, it is likely that Mr. Adigun will cause serious physical or psychological harm to members of the public and such conduct will likely be criminal in nature.
(b) Disposition
Flowing from the Board’s finding that Mr. Adigun continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public it must shape a Disposition for the year ahead. Its paramount consideration in doing so must be the safety of the public while also considering Mr. Adigun’s needs pursuant to s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
The necessary and appropriate disposition for Mr. Adigun provides him as much freedom as possible without subjecting the community to a real risk of dangerous behaviour.
In considering Mr. Adigun needs, the Board was attentive to his preference to pursue a graduated approach to treatment. This aligns with the jointly recommended terms and conditions proposed by the Hospital for the upcoming reporting year. The panel accepts that gaining familiarity and liberties within a forensic environment is the preferred trajectory to enable Mr. Adigun’s to progress in his rehabilitation. A community living clause can follow when it becomes a viable consideration for both Mr. Adigun and the Hospital.
Conclusion
Therefore, the Board unanimously determines that the necessary and appropriate Disposition required to manage the threat Mr. Adigun poses to the safety of the public while still meeting his needs, is a Detention Disposition with privileges as set out at pages 28 to 29 of the Hospital Report.
In making this Disposition, the Board carefully considered the positions and submissions of the parties and the evidence of Dr. Harrigan and is satisfied that this determination is both necessary and appropriate. The Board reviewed the provisions of s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code and carefully considered the need to protect the public from dangerous persons, Mr. Adigun’s mental condition, his reintegration into society and other needs.
DATED this 23rd day of January 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. P. Capelle Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board