Coroner begins inquiry into journalist’s death, seeks information from Lagos task force

The judicial inquiry into the death of Pelumi Onifade, a reporter with Gboah TV who was killed during the #EndSARS protest of 2020, has commenced.

The coroner’s inquest, instituted by the Lagos state government following a court order, commenced on Thursday.

T.A. Oladele, the district coroner, presided over the inquest.

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 Agege.

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 Ikorodu.

The body of the journalist is yet to be released to the family.

Media groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, International Press Institute, Media Foundation for West Africa, and Media Rights Agenda (MRA), have been clamouring for justice.

On July 19, 2024, Ayokunle Faji, a judge at the federal high court in Lagos, ordered the state government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of death as well as identify and prosecute those responsible.

The order was issued following a suit initiated by MRA.

CORONER’S INQUEST

At the preliminary hearing on Thursday, MRA was represented by Kingsley Kenechuwu and Monday Arunsi, while Oluwaseun Akinde represented the attorney-general of Lagos.

Speaking to the coroner, Bose Onifade, mother of the late journalist, said officials of the Lagos task force initially told the family that the deceased’s body had been taken to Ikorodu mortuary.

The deceased’s mother said when her husband alongside some church members visited the mortuary, they were able to identify the body but the mortuary refused to release it.

She added that the family was later informed that the deceased’s body had again been moved to Yaba mortuary but on getting to the mortuary, they were not given information about the corpse.

She said the confusion regarding the whereabouts of the deceased’s body has exacerbated the family’s distress.

The testimony of the deceased’s mother was contained in a statement released by Idowu Adewale, communications officer of MRA.

Responding to the testimony of the deceased’s mother, Akinde said the Lagos task force and relevant authorities should be contacted to provide information on the movement of the body.

The coroner directed that official records regarding the transfer of the body should be obtained from the task force.

She added that DNA testing might be necessary to conclusively confirm the identity.

Responding, the deceased’s mother told the coroner that her DNA had already been collected at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the DNA Test Centre in CMS, Lagos.

She said she had not received any feedback or follow-up from either institution.

Akinde said he would follow up on the matter to ensure a prompt resolution.

The coroner directed that a comprehensive list of all relevant parties be included in the inquest’s proceedings.

She said the list should include officials of the Lagos task force and witnesses with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the death.

The coroner directed Akinde to send a formal request to the appropriate agencies to provide clarification on the status of Onifade’s body and ask for all relevant records.

She adjourned proceedings to October 30, 2024.