Ayomide Eweje, a journalist with Nigeria-based BONews, has filed a lawsuit against Ikorodu General Hospital and its Medical Director for allegedly withholding information about the death of Pelumi Onifade. Onifade, a 20-year old intern reporter at Gboah TV, was arrested during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. His corpse was later found by his family at the mortuary of Ikorodu General Hospital.
The lawsuit follows Eweje's submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request on July 31, 2025, which asked for certified documents related to the handling and custody of Onifade's remains, as well as the mortuary protocols the hospital follows. However, the hospital did not provide the requested information or offer any written explanation for the denial, which is a violation of the FOI Act.
This legal action comes at a time when efforts to uncover the truth behind Onifade's death are ongoing. On August 8, 2025, a Lagos State District Coroner, Mrs. Temitope Oladele, instructed the Medical Director of Ikorodu General Hospital to release documents regarding Onifade's body within seven days to the Media Rights Agenda's legal team.
In her lawsuit, Eweje is seeking to have the court rule that the hospital's actions were unlawful and to recognise her right to obtain information as guaranteed by law. She also seeks the court's permission to pursue a judicial review of the case, claiming that the hospital's failure to provide a proper denial notice breaches specific provisions of the FOI Act.
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The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) declares its support for Ayomide Eweje and urges Nigerian authorities and relevant institutions to comply with lawful requests for information about Onifade's case and to ensure justice for the young journalist.
