Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has advised the Federal Government against going ahead with the burial of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile which is scheduled for Thursday, July 23.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said it would be better to conclude investigations into circumstances leading to Arotile’s death before she is buried.
Recall that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) disclosed that Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, was killed in a freak accident on July 14.
It added that the deceased would be buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Thursday, July 23.
In a Sunday statement, Adegboruwa said there was no reason rush the burial while doubts persisted about the officer’s cause of death.
He said, “The sudden death of Tolulope Arotile has caused a national mourning in this time of COVID-19 pandemic.
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“It is tragic, painful and gruesome. The inconsistent stories emerging from the Nigerian Air Force has not helped to douse the suspicions.
“The least we expect is a proper investigation, followed with a Coroner’s Inquest, including an independent autopsy report.
“There is no point in rushing to bury her in the light emerging revelations.
“These are the questions:
- Who drove the car?
- Where did the accident happen?
- Where was Arotile going to?
- A reversing car means it had passed her, so was she trekking?
- Was she blindfolded not to see the reversing car to escape?
- Were her legs tied?
- What kind of medical treatment did she receive?
- In which hospital was she treated?
- Who called her out from her rest after a successful air combat on bandits?
- Why are there inconsistent statements from the Nigerian Air Force, being released in bits and pieces?
“Many more questions indeed. .I urge the President to direct a full investigation into her death, to suspend the burial plans until the conclusion of the investigations.”
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