Inquest into Journalist’s Death Moves Forward Amid Autopsy Delays
The coroner’s court examining the death of Permi Onifade, a young journalist for Gboah TV who was reportedly shot during the #EndSARS protests on October 24, 2020, has instructed key witnesses to commence their testimonies at the inquest. This development comes despite ongoing delays in the release of the autopsy report crucial to the investigation.
During the latest hearing on July 7, presiding judge Mrs. Temitope Oladele revealed that the Pathology and Forensic Medicine Department at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) was contacted regarding the court’s previous request for the autopsy report. The court was informed that the report was mostly complete, pending the coroner’s approval, and it is expected to be finalized in the next two weeks due to the coroner’s current absence.
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) acting lawyer Alimi Adamu and the parents of the deceased journalist were present in court and expressed their appreciation for the update. However, they emphasized the critical importance of the autopsy report in understanding the circumstances surrounding Onifade’s death.
Mr. Adamu, supported by colleagues Mr. Monday Arunsi and Mr. Victor John, highlighted that following the identification of the late journalist through DNA evidence validated by the court on June 23, 2026, the autopsy report was now essential to establishing the exact cause of death. He urged the court to proceed with witness testimony while awaiting the report, asserting that this approach would help maintain the inquest’s momentum.
In agreement with Mr. Adamu, the coroner directed that initial witness testimonies should come from individuals who had direct contact with Onifade shortly before his death, especially from colleagues who were reportedly with him just prior to the shooting. The coroner underscored the significance of witnesses as a primary source of evidence and allowed for virtual appearances if attending in person posed safety concerns.
Adamu reiterated the importance of police officers involved in recovering the deceased and compiling the relevant police records. He pointed to a police report from Ikorodu General Hospital, already submitted to the court, detailing that Onifade sustained gunshot wounds before his body was taken from the incident scene. This report identified ASP Adeyemi Adewale and Inspector A. Augustine as key witnesses.
Additionally, Mr. Adamu suggested that the director of Gboa TV could provide valuable testimony, having arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting and interacted with security personnel regarding the deceased journalist’s condition. The coroner reminded all parties that while autopsy findings could influence future legal actions, the primary objective of the inquest is to uncover the truth surrounding the death, not to assign blame.
Mr. Adamu concurred with this perspective, stating that the evidence gathered could assist Onifade’s family in pursuing legal remedies. He emphasized the necessity of identifying the officers involved and understanding the circumstances of the shooting, which align with the coroner’s objectives. The coroner encouraged all parties to proceed collaboratively with witness testimonies, despite the pending autopsy report, as the inquisitorial nature of the inquest requires a united effort to seek the truth rather than an adversarial approach.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned until July 29, 2026, to allow the LASUTH coroner to return, complete the autopsy report, expedite efforts to secure witness attendance, and initiate witness testimony as soon as possible.
