Police arraign two brothers over Flying Officer Tolu Arotile’s death

Two brothers, Nehemiah Adejo and David Adejo, who were detained for killing Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, have been arraigned before a Kaduna State Magistrate Court on a four-count charge.

Nehemiah was charged for causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, driving without driver’s licence and driving without authorisation of the owner.

David was charged with negligent conduct while causing danger to person and property.

Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Police prosecuting counsel, Mr. Martins Leo urged that Nehemiah be remanded in prison, arguing that there is pending investigation of culpable homicide against him

However, counsel, to the accused, Mr. Ibrahim Omachi argued that his clients are first-time offenders and had spent more than four weeks in detention

The Magistrate, Mr. Benjamin Hassan, after hearing arguments from both counsels granted bail to the accused in the sum of N1 million with two sureties who must be residents within the jurisdiction of the court and possess Bank Verification Number (BVN). The case was adjourned to 24 and 25 of August for hearing.

Arotile was killed by a reversing vehicle at the premises of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Kaduna.

The vehicle was driven by the Nehemiah, one of the accused persons who is said to be a former classmate and was reversing to greet the deceased.

 At a media briefing on the preliminary investigation report on the death of Arotile in Abuja, the Director, Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said Arotile was run over by a friend’s vehicle and died of trauma to the head and bleeding.