Court Calls For Lagos Authorities To Investigate And Prosecute The Killers Of Journalist Onifade

Court Calls For Lagos Authorities To Investigate And Prosecute The Killers Of Journalist Onifade

A Federal High Court in Lagos has instructed the Lagos State government to investigate the death of Mr. Pelumi Onifade, a 20-year-old reporter with Gboah TV, who was covering the #EndSARS protests in 2020. Onifade was reportedly arrested by Lagos State task force officers and later found dead at a mortuary in Ikorodu…….. CONTINUE READING 

The court has mandated a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause of Onifade’s death and to identify and prosecute those responsible. This decision came after a suit filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the Police and Lagos State Government. Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji ruled that although the Attorney-General cannot conduct an inquest without a duplicate of the case file, Lagos State’s Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) allows the Attorney-General to request such a file from the Commissioner of Police.

While the court dismissed five claims made by MRA against the Police due to insufficient evidence, Justice Faji noted that the Attorney-General did not refute the facts presented by MRA but raised only a legal issue. The Attorney-General’s counsel committed to conducting an inquest during oral arguments.

The originating summons, filed by Lagos-based lawyer Charles Musa on August 4, 2021, on behalf of MRA, named the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (COP), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney-General of Lagos State as defendants. The suit sought declarations that:

– Onifade’s shooting by the COP and IGP on October 24, 2020, was unconstitutional and a severe violation of his fundamental rights.
– His arrest and detention by the COP and IGP were unconstitutional and an infringement of his rights.
– The COP and IGP are obligated to investigate crimes against journalists exercising their right to freedom of expression.

MRA also requested three court orders: for a transparent investigation into Onifade’s death, a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause of death, and the prosecution of those responsible.

Justice Faji noted that while the COP and IGP were served with the summons and documents, they did not respond. He also pointed out that MRA’s affidavit lacked evidence from eyewitnesses or documentation regarding the mortuary deposit, leading to the dismissal of claims against the police.

Justice Faji commended the Attorney-General’s Office for its court attendance and assistance but criticized the lack of a coroner’s inquest due to the missing case file duplicate. He emphasized the Attorney-General’s duty to conduct a thorough investigation, carry out a coroner’s inquest, and prosecute those responsible for Onifade’s death.

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