The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will be handing over the case of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile to the police on Friday, July 24 for further action, NAF spokesman Ibikunle Daramola has said.
Mr Daramola said on Channels Television’s breakfast show ‘Sunrise Daily’ that the NAF had concluded its first level of investigation into the incident and would now present the case to the police for further investigation since it involved civilians.
A former classmate of the late Arotile, Nehemiah Adejoh, is the prime suspect.
The NAF had said Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, died on July 14 after a car being driven by Mr Adejoh hit her on reverse at the Air Force Base in Kaduna.
The driver was reportedly reversing an SUV when it hit Arotile who fell and hit her head on the tarmac. The car also ran over part of her body after knocking her down.
She was buried on Thursday at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
Daramola, however, told his hosts that the police from Kawo Divisional Police Station were involved in the case from the onset.
He said, “In terms of handing over to the police, the handover will be done today ((Friday); It does not preclude further investigation by the police, they will still call all the witnesses, they would still interview everybody and also visit the crime scene.
“From the first day, the traffic officer from Kawo Police Station were invited, an inspector and two corporals were brought in and were able to capture crime scene evidence that was relevant.”
Adejoh risks seven years imprisonment if convicted of manslaughter according to section 28 of the Road Traffic Law.
