A Federal High Court in Lagos has mandated the Lagos State government to investigate the death of Pelumi Onifade, a 20-year-old reporter who was arrested by police during the #EndSARS protests in 2020 and later found dead at a mortuary in Ikorodu.
Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered the state government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause of Mr. Onifade’s death, identify those responsible, and prosecute them. The ruling follows a case brought by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General of Lagos State.
The court also directed the Attorney General to take necessary steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s death. The suit, filed by Lagos-based lawyer Charles Musa on behalf of MRA, was initiated on August 4, 2021.
In its suit, MRA requested the court to declare the shooting of Onifade in Oko Oba, Agege, on October 24, 2020, unconstitutional and a gross violation of his fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Additionally, MRA argued that Onifade’s arrest and detention were unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.
The court dismissed some claims against the police due to lack of evidence but upheld the demand for a coroner’s inquest. Justice Faji highlighted that the police commissioner and the IGP did not respond to the summons and that MRA’s Program Officer, John Gbadamosi, who supported the affidavit, did not witness any relevant facts. The judge noted the absence of supporting documentation, including evidence from the deceased’s family.
Justice Faji commended the Lagos State Attorney General’s office for attending court and assisting in the matter. The Attorney General’s office had explained that a coroner’s inquest had not been conducted because the duplicate case file was not forwarded to them. However, the Attorney General expressed readiness to conduct an inquest and prosecute anyone found to have a prima facie case established against them.
The ruling emphasized the duty of the Attorney General to conduct an inquest into the circumstances of Onifade’s death and to ensure justice is served.
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