Coroner Orders Reports on Body Linked to Pelumi Onifade

A coroner's court in Lagos has mandated the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Lagos State DNA Forensic Centre to submit critical reports within 21 days concerning a body believed to be that of journalist Pelumi Onifade, who went missing during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020. Magistrate Mr.

Temitop Oladel issued this order during the resumption of the inquest into Onifade's death. The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has filed a wrongful death suit against the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Government, seeking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Onifade's death.

The court has directed LASUTH's Chief Medical Examiner to provide an autopsy report on the unidentified body tagged No. 1385, while the DNA Centre is to submit DNA test results related to samples collected from Onifade's parents. The next hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026, with the outcome of the autopsy and DNA reports expected to play a significant role in the inquest.