The inquest into the death of Nigerian journalist Pelumi Onifade faced yet another delay. This happened on Tuesday when Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) ignored a court order. The order demanded a key report on an unidentified body. As a result, the case was postponed.
Magistrate Temitope Oladele of the Lagos State District Coroner’s Court set the next hearing for April 7, 2026. She gave LASUTH a “final opportunity” to submit findings on the body tagged ‘1385.’ These details came from a statement by Media Rights Agenda (MRA). The group released it on Wednesday, March 25. Idowu Adewale, MRA’s Communications Officer, signed the statement.
Background of the Tragic Incident
Pelumi Onifade worked as a young reporter for Gboah TV. He was allegedly shot while covering the #EndSARS protests on October 24, 2020. These protests opposed police brutality across Nigeria. Onifade went missing during his assignment. Later, his family identified his body in a mortuary. However, authorities have not released the remains. The case has dragged on for over five years. It highlights ongoing challenges in holding state institutions accountable.
Court Orders and Repeated Non-Compliance
In 2025, the court ordered LASUTH to release documents. These related to the deposit, release, or status of the journalist’s remains. The order came after an application by MRA’s lawyer. It required action within seven days.
“The Coroner Court investigating the death of Mr Pelumi Onifade, a young journalist with Gboah TV, who was reportedly shot while covering the #EndSARS protests on October 24, 2020, has adjourned the matter to April 7, 2026, following the failure of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to comply with the Court’s order to produce a report on the whereabout of an unidentified body tagged 1385 which LASUTH was said to have been received from the Ikorodu General Hospital on November 3, 2020 and conducted post-mortem examination on later that month.”
The initial order, issued on November 18, 2025, sought “a comprehensive and specific report” on the body. LASUTH failed to comply repeatedly. Therefore, on March 3, 2026, MRA’s counsel, Alimi Adamu, raised concerns. He noted the order targeted LASUTH generally. This made enforcement hard. He requested a new order aimed at the CMD specifically.
The magistrate approved it. She directed the chief medical director “to give a report of the body with the tag number 1385 said to have been received on behalf of LASUTH on 3rd November 2020 from Ikorodu General Hospital, within fourteen (14) days of receipt of this order.”
Latest Setback and Push for Enforcement
On March 24, LASUTH neither produced the report nor sent any representative or lawyer to court. MRA urged stronger action. They asked for a “Form 48.” This notice would require the CMD to explain why contempt proceedings should not start. It stemmed from ongoing frustration..
“Although Mr. Alimi Adamu, lawyer to Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Onifade family, applied to the court to issue a “Form 48” (notice to show cause why order of court should not be enforced by committal proceedings) against the CMD for the continued disobedience of the court’s order in the light of the hospital’s repeated failure to produce the report, the investigating magistrate, Mrs Temitope Oladele, said she wanted to give the medical director a final opportunity to comply with the order.”
The magistrate declined the application for now. Instead, she gave LASUTH one last chance. She also told the legal team to follow up with the hospital before the next date.
A landmark Federal High Court ruling on July 19, 2024, by Judge Ayokunle Faji triggered this inquest. It ordered Lagos State to probe Onifade’s death, identify culprits, and prosecute them. MRA had sued the police and state government over investigative failures.
For the family and press freedom groups, these delays show deep obstacles. Justice remains elusive in cases tied to state actions. When the court meets again in April, all eyes will be on LASUTH. Will it finally deliver the report on body “1385”? That document could provide vital answers in a case unresolved since 2020. Feel free to share your thoughts on this issue in the comments section; your opinion matters.