DNA Test Ends Six-Year Mystery Over Missing Journalist's Body
A coroner has confirmed that DNA evidence has identified the remains of Pelumi Onifade, a journalist with Gboah TV, six years after his disappearance. The body, labelled '1385', was deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital morgue on November 3, 2020, but remained unidentified until a DNA sample from his mother, Adebose Onifade, matched the remains. The Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre presented the results before the coroner on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, according to TheCable.
Disappearance and Discovery
Pelumi Onifade was reportedly taken by police officers attached to the Lagos task force on October 24, 2020, while covering a mob attack at a government facility in Agege, Lagos. He was wearing a jacket identifying him as a journalist. Days after his disappearance, Gboah TV announced that his body had been found at the Ikorodu morgue. The body had been deposited there on November 3, 2020, but authorities could not identify it at the time.
Coroner's Inquest and Legal Proceedings
The coroner's inquest was ordered following a Federal High Court decision on July 19, 2024, which directed the Lagos state government to investigate the circumstances of his death and identify those responsible. Hearings began in October 2024. On November 18, 2025, the coroner ordered the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to conduct a post-mortem examination on the unidentified body. However, progress was delayed by a LASUTH workers' strike. On March 3, 2026, Alimi Adamu, counsel to Media Rights Agenda (MRA), informed the coroner that the strike had ended and requested a new order directing LASUTH's chief medical director to provide the report. In April 2026, LASUTH stated that the body could not be identified earlier because DNA samples kept by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre were destroyed during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Coroner Demands Autopsy Report
At the Tuesday proceedings, Adamu asked whether LASUTH had complied with the earlier order. The investigating magistrate, Temitope Oladele, said she had not received a response from LASUTH but had received the DNA confirmation report. She believed the autopsy should have been completed. Adamu noted that Pelumi's family had waited too long for answers and requested the court to order LASUTH to submit the autopsy report. The coroner said administrative steps should be taken first, directing a final reminder to LASUTH and advising MRA's lawyers to visit the hospital to secure compliance. The magistrate warned that the court would use its powers to compel LASUTH if the administrative approach failed. The case has been adjourned to July 7, 2026.
Broader Context of Journalist Deaths
In a similar case, Vanguard journalist Tordue Salem went missing in Abuja on October 13, 2021, and his remains were recovered on November 11, 2021. He covered the National Assembly before his death. A suspect, Prince Enyenihi, was arrested after allegedly demanding ransom from Salem's family, though he denied involvement. The Pelumi Onifade case continues to highlight challenges in investigating journalist disappearances in Nigeria.
