A Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test conducted on a previously unidentified body has confirmed it to be the remains of a former reporter with Gboah TV, Pelumi Onifade.

The unidentified body, tagged 1385, was said to have been deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital morgue on November 3, 2020. However, investigating magistrate Temitope Oladele has announced receiving a sealed coroner report from the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre.

Oladele said the report confirmed a DNA match between the body and the sample provided by the mother of the late journalist, Adebose Onifade.

Though he was wearing a jacket identifying him as a reporter, the late Onifade was reportedly forcefully taken away by police officers attached to the Lagos task force on October 24, 2020, while covering a mob attack at a government facility in the Agege area of the state.

Days later, Gboah TV announced discovering his body at a mortuary in Ikorodu. Following that, the federal high court, Lagos, on July 19, 2024, ordered the state government to conduct a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of his death, identify and prosecute those responsible.

The coroner commenced hearing in October 2024, and on November 18, 2025, directed the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to perform a post-mortem on the body. However, lead counsel to Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Alimi Adamu, told the coroner on March 3, 2026, that the protracted strike at LASUTH had stalled progress in the case since the earlier order was made. He then applied for a fresh order to be directed specifically to the chief medical director of LASUTH.

However, LASUTH said the body could not be identified as all DNA samples held at the state’s DNA and Forensic Centre were destroyed during the #EndSARS protest of October 2020.

Nevertheless, during further court proceedings on June 23, 2026, the investigating magistrate said she did not receive any response from LASUTH but rather a report from the Lagos DNA and Forensic centre confirming a DNA match between the previously unidentified body and the sample provided by the deceased’s mother.

Oladele said she believes the autopsy has already been conducted or ought to have been done. Consequently, the lead counsel suggested that the court should issue another order for LASUTH to present the autopsy reports.

However, the magistrate directed a final administrative reminder for LASUTH to immediately produce the autopsy report. She added that the court will compel the production of the report if administrative efforts fail, and eventually adjourned the case to July 7, 2026.

Reacting to the DNA report, MRA stated that “a family’s search for answers has reached a painful milestone. While this confirmation may close one chapter, the fight for truth and accountability continues.” She added that “no journalist should disappear while carrying out their professional duties.”