Two persons detained on suspicion of being responsible for the death of Nigeria’s first female fighter helicopter pilot Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile have been freed. They were freed yesterday by the Kaduna State Magistrate Court I.
However, the first suspect who drove the car that killed the Air Force Officer, still faces charges of culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy in the State High Court.
The police at the end of their investigation said there was no premeditation in the death of the Flying Officer.
Arotile was knocked down and killed by a vehicle driven by his secondary school mate, Nehemiah Adejor on July
The 2nd and 3rd suspects – Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji – were passengers in the said vehicle.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, 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, which did not find them wanting and 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 (DPP), “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.