Akure — In a detailed testimony before the Coroner’s Court, Dr. Olumuyiwa Pelemo, Director of Diagnostic Services at the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Akure and a Consultant Anatomic Pathologist, has revealed that the late UNIMED Registrar, Mr. Imoleayo Adeniran, died from complications of chronic heart failure, contrary to earlier suggestions that poisoning may have been involved.
Dr. Pelemo, who has over 20 years in pathology and 13 years as a consultant, conducted the post-mortem examination on the deceased.
He submitted his autopsy report, dated November 19, 2025, to the court on Friday, which the Coroner admitted as an official exhibit.
“Based on the findings from the autopsy, the cause of death is sudden, unexpected death due to complications of congestive cardiac failure with cardiomyopathy,” Dr. Pelemo told the court.
Findings from the Autopsy
According to the pathologist, the body was embalmed before the examination, a standard procedure to slow decomposition. Despite this, he explained, the embalming process does not significantly alter toxicology results.
Dr. Pelemo described the external examination:
“There were no marks of violence on the body. The only observations were post-mortem changes, particularly on the skin of the face and chest. There was no evidence of corrosive substances or injury around the mouth or other body parts.”
In the internal examination, the pathologist noted severe organ enlargement and congestion:
Heart: Weighed 600 grams (normal for adult male: 300–350 grams), left ventricular wall thickness 3 cm (normal 1.3–1.5 cm), indicating severe cardiac compromise.
Lungs: Right lung 750 grams, left lung 500 grams (normal: 250–350 grams), with a “meaty” texture due to fluid congestion, suggesting respiratory compromise.
Liver: 2,500 grams (normal 1,200–1,600 grams), showing chronic congestion.
Kidneys: Both swollen with cortical paleness, a condition medically described as shocked kidneys, indicative of reduced blood supply.
Brain: Swollen but without trauma, fractures, or intracranial hemorrhage.
“These findings show systemic complications arising from long-standing heart disease. There is no evidence of poisoning, toxins, or physical assault,” Dr. Pelemo told the court.
Contradiction with Initial Medical Assessment
The pathologist also addressed previous medical attention administered when Mr. Adeniran was rushed to the hospital.
According to hospital records, the deceased had blood pressure of 200/120 mmHg, excessive salivation, multiple episodes of vomiting, abdominal pain, and altered consciousness.
Some attending doctors suspected poisoning and administered treatments including activated charcoal, atropine, and other medications.
Dr. Pelemo explained:
“The body does not lie. The signs we observed are typical of chronic congestive heart failure, not acute poisoning. Stress, exertion, and pre-existing hypertension could have triggered the final collapse. The medications given were in line with the suspicion of poisoning but were not the cause of death.”
He further confirmed that toxicology analysis ruled out phosphorus compounds, cyanide, organophosphates, heavy metals, and other poisons.
Histology of the organs also confirmed chronic congestion and organ failure consistent with cardiomyopathy.
“Even if substances had been ingested, there were no morphological or chemical traces. The deceased had an underlying heart condition that had been running a chronic course,” Dr. Pelemo added.
Coroner Adjournment
After Dr. Pelemo concluded his testimony on Friday, the Coroner and Chief Magistrate, Dr. Dickson Ogunfuyi, announced that the inquest would be adjourned for the final report, which is scheduled to be delivered on Friday, December 12, 2025.
No additional witnesses were summoned, as the autopsy evidence was deemed sufficient to guide the coroner’s ruling.
The pathologist’s testimony is expected to form the primary basis for the coroner’s official findings on the death of Mr. Imoleayo Adeniran.
“The death of Mr. Adeniran was natural, resulting from chronic heart failure. No foul play or poisoning was involved,” Dr. Pelemo concluded.
