A DNA test result presented by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre to the coroner has confirmed that a previously unidentified body was that of Pelumi Onifade, a reporter with Gboah TV.
The unidentified body, tagged 1385, was said to have been
deposited at the morgue at Ikorodu General Hospital on November 3, 2020.
Temitope Oladele, the investigating magistrate, on Tuesday,
announced that she had received a sealed report from the Lagos DNA Centre.
Oladele said the report confirmed a DNA match between the
body and the DNA sample provided by Adebose Onifade, the mother of the late
journalist.
BACKGROUND
On October 24, 2020, Onifade was reportedly taken away by police officers attached to the Lagos task force while covering a mob attack at a government facility in the Agege area of Lagos.
He was said to have been forcefully taken away despite
wearing a jacket identifying him as a reporter.
Days later, Gboah TV announced that the body of Onifade was
discovered at a mortuary in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
On July 19, 2024, the federal high court in Lagos ordered
the state government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of
Onifade’s death as well as identify and prosecute those responsible.
In October 2024, the coroner commenced hearing.
On November 18, 2025, the coroner ordered the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to perform a post-mortem examination of the unidentified body tagged 1385, which was received from Ikorodu hospital.
On March 3, 2026, Alimi Adamu, lead counsel to Media Rights
Agenda (MRA), told the coroner that the protracted strike at LASUTH, which had
stalled progress in the case since the earlier order was made, had been called
off.
Adamu applied for a fresh order to be directed specifically
to the chief medical director of LASUTH.
In April, LASUTH said the body of Onifade could not be
identified because all DNA samples held at the state’s DNA and Forensic Centre
were destroyed during the #EndSARS protest of October 2020.
TUESDAY’S COURT PROCEEDINGS
During the court proceedings on Tuesday, Adamu asked whether
LASUTH had complied with the previous orders of the court.
The investigating magistrate said she did not receive any
response from LASUTH, but received a document from the Lagos DNA and Forensic
centre.
The magistrate said the report confirmed a DNA match between
the previously unidentified body and the DNA sample provided by the deceased’s
mother.
Oladele said she does not want to make a case for the
hospital, but she believes that the autopsy has already been conducted or ought
to have been done.
Responding, Adamu said he appreciated the coroner’s empathy
with LASUTH and that the parents of the deceased have endured prolonged wait
for answers and closure.
The lead counsel suggested that the court should issue another order for LASUTH to present the autopsy reports.
The coroner said administrative options should first be
explored before any coercive step is taken.
The magistrate, however, directed that a final
administrative reminder be issued to LASUTH for the immediate production of the
autopsy report.
She also urged MRA’s lawyers to physically visit LASUTH to
facilitate compliance rather than relying solely on formal correspondence.
The magistrate added that the court will invoke its power to
compel the production of the report if the administrative efforts fail.
The case was adjourned to July 7, 2026.
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