A DNA test submitted by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre to the coroner has confirmed that a previously unidentified body deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital morgue was that of Pelumi Onifade, a reporter with Gboah TV.
The body, tagged 1385, was reportedly deposited at the morgue on November 3, 2020.
Temitope Oladele, the investigating magistrate, disclosed on Tuesday that she had received a sealed report from the Lagos DNA Centre.
According to Oladele, the report established a DNA match between the body and the sample provided by Adebose Onifade, the late journalist’s mother.
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 forcibly taken despite wearing a jacket identifying him as a reporter.
Days later, Gboah TV announced that Onifade’s body had been found in a mortuary in Ikorodu, Lagos.
On July 19, 2024, a federal high court in Lagos ordered the state government to commence a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause of Onifade’s death and identify those responsible.
The coroner began hearing the case in October 2024.
On November 18, 2025, the coroner directed the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to conduct a post-mortem examination on the unidentified body tagged 1385, which had been transferred from Ikorodu hospital.
On March 3, 2026, Alimi Adamu, lead counsel to Media Rights Agenda (MRA), informed the coroner that the prolonged strike at LASUTH, which had delayed progress in the case, had ended.
Adamu then requested a fresh court order directed specifically to the chief medical director of LASUTH.
In April, LASUTH stated that Onifade’s body could not initially be identified because all DNA samples stored at the state’s DNA and Forensic Centre were destroyed during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020.
tuesday’s court proceedings
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Adamu asked whether LASUTH had complied with the court’s earlier orders.
The investigating magistrate said she had not received any response from LASUTH but had received a report from the Lagos DNA and Forensic Centre.
She said the report confirmed a DNA match between the unidentified body and the sample provided by the deceased’s mother.
Oladele added that while she did not want to make a case for the hospital, she believed the autopsy had either been carried out or should have been completed.
Responding, Adamu said he appreciated the coroner’s understanding toward LASUTH, noting that the deceased’s parents had endured a long wait for answers and closure.
The lead counsel suggested that the court issue another order directing LASUTH to submit the autopsy report.
The coroner said administrative steps should first be exhausted before coercive measures are considered.
However, the magistrate ordered that a final administrative reminder be sent to LASUTH for the immediate release of the autopsy report.
She also advised MRA’s lawyers to physically visit LASUTH to help ensure compliance rather than relying solely on formal correspondence.
Oladele added that the court would exercise its authority to compel the release of the report if administrative efforts fail.
The case was adjourned to July 7, 2026.