Arotile: Court Frees 2 Suspects, One Held for Homicide as Investigators Call Officers Death a Mistake

Agency Report/

Two out of the three suspects arrested over the death of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile, have been released.

Folorunsho Faith and Gbayegun Deji were released by Chief Magistrate Benjamin Hassan of Magistrate Court I in Kaduna where they were arraigned.

They were not found wanting over Arotile’s death going by investigation, according to the prosecution counsel, Martins Leo.

The main suspect, Nehemiah Adejor, will however be charged with culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy.

He was the one that drove the car that ran over Arotile.

He will be arraigned at the State High Court on September 3, 2020.

The legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, Bayero Dari, over the matter as presented at the court reads:

“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.

“Police investigation reveals that all the suspects attended the same secondary school with the deceased and upon sighting her the first suspect recklessly reversed the car and eventually ran over the deceased which led to her untimely death.

“He informed the other suspects who screamed enthusiastically after which he stopped and started reversing the car in order to meet the deceased and exchange pleasantries. In the process of which he mistakenly ran over her and she later died. He denied having any premeditated plan to kill her.

“It is clear also from the investigation done; the second and third suspects were passengers and friends of the first suspect who was driving the vehicle.

“From the foregoing, there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 1st suspect for the offence of Culpable Homicide not punishable with death contrary to Section 191 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 as there is no premeditation in the death of the deceased.”

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