By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A judicial inquiry has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the death of 20-year-old journalist, Mr. Pelumi Onifade, who died in 2020 while covering the #EndSARS protests in Lagos. The inquiry, initiated by Media Rights Agenda (MRA), began on October 17, 2024, aiming to uncover the truth and provide closure to the journalist’s family.
Mr. Onifade, a reporter for Gboah TV, was reportedly arrested by policemen attached to a Lagos State taskforce during the protests. His body was later found at a mortuary in Ikorodu, Lagos. The coroner’s inquest was ordered by a Federal High Court in Lagos after the MRA filed a wrongful death suit against the police and Lagos State Government, demanding an investigation into his death.
In a statement by MRA’s Communications Officer, Mr. Idowu Adewale, it was confirmed that the investigating magistrate promised a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the cause of death and assign responsibility where necessary. The inquest is expected to identify any negligence or culpability.
At the initial hearing, the coroner, Mrs. T.R.A. Oladele, stressed that the inquest’s primary goal is to ascertain whether Mr. Onifade’s death was preventable, establish the true cause of death, and evaluate any negligence or wrongdoing.
Mrs. Bose Onifade, the mother of the late journalist, provided emotional testimony recounting the family’s challenges in locating her son’s body, conflicting reports, and the difficulty in securing the release of the body from the mortuary.
The Attorney General’s representative, Mr. Oluwaseun Akinde, suggested tracking the body’s movements using official documentation from the taskforce. He assured the coroner that he would follow up on these issues and ensure a DNA test is conducted, as Mrs. Onifade mentioned that her DNA sample had already been collected but without any feedback from relevant institutions.
The coroner adjourned the hearing to October 30, 2024, directing that official records and further evidence be obtained to ensure a comprehensive and transparent investigation.
