The Police have arraigned two brothers – driver and owner of the vehicle that killed Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, in a crash at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna.
The two brothers- Nehemiah and David Adejo, were arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrate Court on four count charges of causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, driving without drivers licence and driving without authorisation of the owner, as well as one count charged of negligent conduct while causing danger to person and property.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Benjamin, after hearing arguments from counsels to the defendants and the Prosecutor, DSP Martins Leo, granted the accused persons bail of the sum of N1 million.
In granting the accused bail, the Magistrate ordered that both defendants produce two sureties each who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and are engaged in legal businesses. The court said the sureties also must present a Bank Verification Number that corresponds with their information.
Nehemiah was arraigned on a four – count charge of causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, driving without drivers licence and driving without authorisation of the owner. He however pleaded not guilty.
David was charged with negligent conduct while causing danger to person and property.
The prosecution counsel had prayed the court to allow Nehemiah to be remanded, noting there is pending investigation of culpable homicide against him.
However, Nehemiah’s counsel, Aliyu Ibrahim Omachi, sought for his bail on the basis that he is a first time offender and has spent more than four weeks in detention.
The case was adjourned till August 24 and 25 for hearing.
Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile died on July 14, 2020, following a head injury she sustained when she was knocked down by a car allegedly driven by Nehemiah, her old secondary school classmate, at the Nigerian Airforce Secondary school in Kaduna State.