A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted Ms Ayomide Eweje, a journalist with the online newspaper, BONews Service, permission to continue with her N1 million lawsuit against the Ikorodu General Hospital, in Lagos and its Medical Director for refusing to provide her with the information she requested relating to the hospital’s handling of the corpse of Mr Pelumi Onifade, a journalist who died in October 2020 under controversial circumstances during the #EndSARS protests.
Justice Chukwujekwu Joseph Aneke granted Ms Eweje’s motion ex parte seeking leave of the court to challenge the hospital’s failure to accede to her request for information after hearing the arguments of her lawyer, Mr Alimi Adamu, who contended that the hospital’s action violated her right of access to information under the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
In the motion, Ms Eweje asked for leave of the court to apply for a declaration that the refusal by the hospital and its medical director to make the requested information available to her constitutes a violation of her right of access to information guaranteed under Sections 1(1) and 4(a) & (b) of the FOI Act, while their failure to issue a written notice of denial stating the grounds for refusal, as required by Sections 4(b) and 7(1)–(3) of the FOI Act, amounts to a breach of the law.
She is also seeking an order directing them to disclose and make available the requested documents, including:
• The mortuary admission register showing when Mr Onifade’s body was received;
• Records of the release, transfer, or movement of the body;
• Any autopsy or post-mortem report conducted;
• Records of DNA or forensic samples collected, if any;
• Documentation of the involvement of police or other officials in the release of the corpse;
• Copies of communication with Mr Onifade’s family; and
• The hospital’s mortuary protocols for reception, documentation, and release of corpses.
Ms Eweje is further asking the court to award her ₦1 million as exemplary and aggravated damages for the alleged unlawful denial of access to information.
She wants the court to issue an order directing the relevant prosecuting authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against the hospital and its medical director for wrongful denial of access under Section 7(5) of the FOI Act.
Moving the motion, Mr Adamu referred the judge to the motion paper and other processes filed in which Ms Eweje claimed that she had, by a letter dated July 31, 2025, requested from the hospital certified copies of documents detailing the receipt, custody, and handling of the corpse of the late Mr Onifade, as well as the mortuary protocols of the hospital but that the hospital and the medical director failed, refused, and/or neglected to provide the requested information or issue a written notice of denial as required by law.
He argued that the information requested is of overriding public interest, particularly given the circumstances of Mr Onifade’s death and the need for accountability in the management of public mortuaries.
According to Mr Adamu, the hospital’s refusal to release the documents undermines transparency, accountability, and the rights of the bereaved family to know the fate of their loved one.
After a short ruling granting the motion, Justice Aneke adjourned the suit to January 22, 2026, for mention.
