Kaduna State magistrate court 1 has freed two of the three suspected killers of Nigeria’s first female helicopter fighter, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.
The major (first) suspect, Nehemiah Adejor, who drove the car that killed the Air Force Officer, will now be charged for culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy in the State High Court, but not to be punished with death.
When the case came up at the Magistrate Court 1 on Thursday, the prosecution Counsel, DSP Martins D. Leo, prayed the Court to discharge the 2nd and 3rd suspects, as their investigation did not find them wanting.
Ruling on the motion, Magistrate Benjamin Hassan, discharged 2nd and 3rd suspects, Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji, based on the Police investigation, as well as the legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecution Bayero Dari Esq, that they have no case to answer.
According to the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, read in the open court, there is no premeditation in the death of the Flying Officer Arotile, but there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 1st suspect, Nehemiah Adejor for culpable homicide not punishable with death.
The legal advice was read that “On the 14 days of July 2020, the suspect all male of Auta Alkali Farin Gida, Mando Kaduna inside a Kia Sorento with Registration. No AZ 478 MKA Kaduna being driven by the 1st suspect sited the deceased (NAF/4512F Flying officer Tolulope Arotile) at NAF Base Kawo, Kaduna, whom they identified as their school mate at Air force Secondary school, Kaduna.”
“The 1st suspect, full of enthusiasm, recklessly reversed the car in order to meet the deceased and in the process ran over her consequent upon which the deceased lay unconsciously on the ground. The deceased was rushed to NAFX64 Base Hospitàl-for- medical attention but was later pronounced dead by the medical doctors at the Hospital.
The suspects were arrested and taken to 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for toxicology test and results were all negative. They were later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Kaduna on the 24th day of July 2020 for further discreet investigation.
Recall that, the Nigeria Air Force Officer and its first female combat helicopter Pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile was knocked down and killed by a vehicle driven by his secondary school mate, Nehemiah Adejor on the 14th July 2020. 2nd and 3rd suspects, Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji were passengers in the said vehicle.
Tribune Online.
