The Ondo State government has ordered a coroner’s inquest into the murder of the Registrar of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, Ezekiel Adeniran.
Mr Adeniran was reportedly found dead at his private residence in the “Olopa to Di Woli” area along Ondo Road in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Several sources noted that the deceased was allegedly attacked and forcibly poisoned by suspected assailants, who stormed his residence.
One of the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authority to speak on the matter said the late registrar went out to check a strange noise on his roof when he was accosted by the assailants who emerged from a nearby bush.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, said the government was prepared to invoke the Ondo State Coroner’s Law to unravel what caused Mr Adeniran’s death.
Mr Ajulo claimed that reports indicated that Mr Adeniran died under questionable circumstances on or about July 17, 2025.
Urging the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to assign a coroner to inquire into the death, the AG explained that a formal coroner’s inquest was necessary to ascertain the cause and manner of Adeniran’s death.
According to Mr Ajulo, the decision was in public interest to unmask those who might be responsible for the heinous crime.
He posited that the inquest would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Coroners Law of Ondo State, requesting that a magistrate within the appropriate jurisdiction be assigned to serve as coroner.
“Following briefing and information at my disposal, I believe that in the public interest, a formal inquiry in the form of a coroner’s inquest is warranted,” the AG said in a statement on Tuesday.
He, however, stressed that the inquest would be conducted with full transparency and adherence to due process.
Justice Odusola has appointed Dickson Ogunfuyi, a Chief Magistrate and Head of the Ondo State Multi-Door Court, to serve as the coroner.
Meanwhile, the request of the coroner’s inquest comes amid growing controversy over claims that Mr Adeniran might have allegedly committed suicide by purchasing and drinking poison.
However, his family insisted that he was forced to drink the poison by suspected assailants.
But the police who confirmed Mr Adeniran’s death, described it as a suspected case of ‘assassination.’
Recall that Adeniran’s death sparked confusion and created panic among residents and the university community.
