A DNA test conducted by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre has confirmed that an unidentified body deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary in 2020 was that of Pelumi Onifade, a reporter with Gboah TV.
The revelation was made on Tuesday by Temitope Oladele, the investigating magistrate presiding over the coroner’s inquest into the journalist’s death.
Oladele said she received a sealed report from the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre confirming a match between the body, tagged 1385, and a DNA sample provided by Adebose Onifade, the deceased’s mother.
Onifade was reportedly arrested by police officers attached to the Lagos State Task Force in the heat of ENDSARS protest on October 24, 2020, while covering a mob attack on a government facility in Agege, Lagos. He was said to have been taken away despite wearing a jacket identifying him as a journalist.
Days later, Gboah TV announced that his body had been found in a mortuary in Ikorodu. In July 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the state government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause of Onifade’s death and identify those responsible. The inquest commenced in October 2024.
As part of the proceedings, the coroner directed the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in November 2025 to conduct a post-mortem examination on the unidentified body. However, progress was delayed by a prolonged strike at the hospital.
During Tuesday’s hearing, counsel to Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Alimi Adamu, asked whether LASUTH had complied with the court’s orders. Oladele said she had not received any response from the hospital but had obtained the DNA report confirming the body’s identity.
The magistrate said she did not want to make a case for LASUTH but believed the autopsy had either been conducted or ought to have been done.
Adamu urged the court to issue another order compelling the hospital to produce the autopsy report, noting that the deceased’s parents had waited years for answers and closure.
The coroner directed that a final administrative reminder be sent to LASUTH and warned that the court would invoke its powers to compel the production of the report if necessary. The case was adjourned until July 7, 2026.
