The Coroner’s Court investigating the death of journalist Pelumi Onifade of Gboah TV has directed the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to submit the autopsy report of an unidentified body tagged 1385, believed to be that of the deceased reporter, within 21 days.
The investigating magistrate, Mrs. Temitope Oladele, also ordered the Director of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre to provide the DNA test results relating to the same body within the same timeframe. The samples, taken from LASUTH and family members of the late journalist, were reportedly forwarded to the forensic centre for analysis.
The directives were issued during a resumed sitting of the inquest into the death of Onifade, who was allegedly arrested by officers attached to a Lagos State task force while covering the 2020 EndSARS protests in Lagos. He was later discovered dead in a mortuary at Ikorodu General Hospital.
The inquest follows a Federal High Court order in Lagos arising from a wrongful death suit filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which demanded a full investigation, identification of those responsible, and prosecution where necessary.
Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji had earlier directed the Attorney-General to ensure a proper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s death and to conduct a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause and accountability.
During proceedings, counsel to the deceased’s family and MRA, Mr. Alimi Adamu, urged the court to compel LASUTH to present the autopsy report it said it had conducted on the body. He also asked that the DNA and Forensic Centre be ordered to release its findings on the samples collected.
He noted inconsistencies in earlier court directives regarding custody of the body, clarifying that records from LASUTH indicated that the remains tagged 1385 were transferred to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba mortuary for preservation.
The LASUTH report further confirmed that an autopsy had been carried out and that DNA samples were sent for forensic analysis, with results still being awaited.
Although concerns were raised about the operational status of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre—previously reported to have been affected during the 2020 unrest—counsel maintained that the facility remains functional and operating from Broad Street, Lagos.
In her ruling, Mrs. Oladele ordered LASUTH’s Chief Medical Examiner to submit the autopsy report for body tag 1385 within 21 days. She also directed the Director of the DNA and Forensic Centre to forward the DNA analysis results for the same body within the same period.
The case was adjourned to June 23, 2026, for further hearing.
