Coroner finding moves long-running #EndSars case forward
A coroner in Lagos has confirmed the identity of a body linked to the disappearance of trainee journalist Pelumi Onifade, nearly six years after Nigeria’s #EndSars protests against police brutality. The inquest found that the remains labelled 1385 at a city mortuary matched a DNA sample provided by Onifade’s mother, according to reporting published this week. The matter has been adjourned twice and is now scheduled to return to court on 29 July.
Onifade, a 20-year-old intern with Gboah TV, was last seen on 24 October 2020 while covering demonstrations in Abule Egba, Lagos State. Witnesses stated he was struck by a bullet before being taken away in a van by members of the Lagos police taskforce alongside detained protesters. Days later, a relative located a body believed to be his at a mortuary in Ikorodu, approximately 23 miles (37km) from Lagos, but it was no longer present when the family arrived.
Family plea and official responses
His mother, Bosede Onifade, has continued to seek the return of her son’s remains. In an appeal reported this week, she said:
“We want them to release his body. If they have already killed him; they should give his body to us to bury.”
The family has engaged with judicial panels of inquiry, provided DNA, and attended multiple hearings, but their efforts have yet to secure a handover. The then federal police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in 2020 that the death had been reported to a panel examining allegations of police brutality. In 2024, the Lagos State government told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that an internal investigation was ongoing.
Timeline of key developments
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| 24 Oct 2020 | Onifade, interning with Gboah TV, goes on assignment to cover #EndSars protests in Abule Egba. |
| 30 Oct 2020 | Relative finds a body believed to be his at a morgue in Ikorodu; it is gone by the time the family arrives. |
| 2020 | Police say the case is reported to a panel inquiring into alleged brutality. |
| 2024 | Lagos State government tells CPJ an internal investigation is under way. |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Coroner confirms body tagged 1385 matches his mother’s DNA sample. |
| 29 Jul 2026 | Further hearing due after two adjournments. |
Why this resonates beyond Nigeria
October 2020 saw thousands protest across Nigeria against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars). The demonstrations grew into a broader reckoning over state violence. Onifade’s case has become emblematic of unresolved questions about the treatment of detainees, accountability for use of force, and the rights of journalists and media trainees working in volatile environments.
For readers in Bury, the development speaks to wider themes of press freedom, due process and state accountability that are watched closely far beyond Lagos. Families seeking answers over loved ones lost in civic unrest or security operations have turned to inquests and panels as mechanisms to establish facts. In this instance, the coroner’s confirmation of identity—while significant—has not yet resulted in the release of remains to the family.
What is known—and what is next
- Identity confirmed: The coroner’s determination links the body tagged 1385 to Onifade through DNA.
- Investigations referenced: Authorities previously cited a panel process and an internal review reported to CPJ.
- Outstanding issues: Despite the finding, the family continues to request the return of the body for burial.
The forthcoming 29 July sitting is expected to be the next public step in a case that has already seen prolonged delays. With the coroner’s finding now on record, attention will focus on whether the judicial process results in the release of the remains and what, if any, further action follows in relation to the circumstances of Onifade’s death.
