By Deborah Nnamdi
A Lagos Magistrate Court has confirmed through DNA testing that the body of journalist Pelumi Onifade, who went missing during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, was the unidentified corpse recovered from a mortuary in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Pelumi, a young reporter, was covering the nationwide #EndSARS demonstrations when he was arrested by police officers in the Agege area of Lagos on October 24, 2020. Despite identifying himself as a journalist and wearing a jacket that clearly marked him as a member of the press, he was reportedly taken away by security operatives.
Days after his disappearance, an unidentified body was discovered at a mortuary in Ikorodu, sparking speculation that it could be that of the missing journalist.
In July 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos directed the Lagos State Government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding Pelumi’s death and identify those responsible. The court also ordered the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to carry out a post-mortem examination on the unidentified body.
During proceedings, LASUTH explained that efforts to identify the body had been hampered because DNA samples stored at the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre were destroyed during the October 2020 #EndSARS unrest.
However, after prolonged legal proceedings and exchanges between the hospital and the court, a fresh DNA test was conducted using a sample provided by Pelumi’s mother.
The magistrate disclosed that the test confirmed a DNA match between the previously unidentified body and the sample submitted by the journalist’s mother, finally establishing the identity of the deceased.
The development brings a painful end to years of uncertainty for Pelumi’s family, friends and colleagues, who have continued to seek answers over his disappearance and death.
Following the DNA confirmation, counsel to the family called for a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s demise.
The case was adjourned until July 7, 2026, for further proceedings.
