A Kaduna State Magistrate Court 1 has freed two of three suspects involved in the death of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.
The court, however, ruled on Thursday that the first suspect Nehemiah Adejor who drove the car which hit Ms Arotile on reverse is now to be charged for culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy in the State High Court, but not to be punished with death.
Police said they could not establish a case of premeditated murder during investigation.
Police prosecutor Martins Leo said when the case came up at the Magistrate Court 1 on Thursday that the second and third suspects should be released as they were not found wanting.
Ruling on the motion, Magistrate Benjamin Hassan discharged the suspects Folorunsho Faith and Gbayegun Deji.
Kaduna police spokesman Muhammad Jalige said based on the advice of the state’s Director of Public Prosecution Bayero Dari, Mr Adejor will be arraigned at the State High Court for culpable homicide not punishable with death on September 3.
Arotile was knocked down and killed by a vehicle driven by Adejor on July 14.
Folorunsho and Gbayegun were passengers in the said vehicle.
