Coroner Orders Hospital to Release #EndSARS Journalist’s Mortuary Records
A Lagos State District Coroner, Mrs. Temitope Oladele, has ordered the Medical Director of Ikorodu General Hospital to hand over all records relating to the deposit, release, or current status of journalist Pelumi Onifade’s remains to lawyers representing Media Rights Agenda (MRA) within seven days.
Onifade, a Gboah TV reporter, died in police custody during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020. He was arrested while covering the demonstrations and later found dead at the hospital’s mortuary.
The order, issued on August 8, 2025, followed an application by MRA’s counsel, Mr. Monday Arunsi, who told the coroner that the hospital had refused to release the records, citing patient confidentiality.
The inquest into Onifade’s death was mandated by the Federal High Court in Lagos in 2024 after MRA sued the Nigeria Police Force and Lagos State Government for wrongful death. Justice Ayokunle Faji had directed the Attorney-General to ensure a full investigation, identify those responsible, and prosecute them.
Mr. Arunsi recounted that he and a colleague visited the hospital on July 31, 2025, but were told no information could be given without a court order. The coroner granted his request for an order compelling the hospital to release the documents.
The case has been adjourned to August 19, 2025, for mention.
