CORONER’S COURT SUSPENDS INQUEST INTO DEATH OF CHIMAMANDA’S SON
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos Island, has suspended proceedings in the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, following a stay order issued by the Lagos State High Court.
Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji adjourned the matter to October 8, 2026, after being informed that the High Court had directed that the inquest be halted pending the determination of a judicial review application challenging the Coroner’s Court’s jurisdiction.
The development arose after counsel to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), told the court that the hospital had obtained leave from the High Court to contest the legality of the inquest. According to him, a key issue before the High Court is whether the Coroner’s Court can investigate the child’s death when his remains were reportedly cremated before the inquest commenced.
Osipitan argued that the substantive application also seeks clarification on whether a coroner can determine the cause of death in the absence of a body for examination. He noted that the High Court had consequently ordered a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the suit.
While requesting compliance with the order, Osipitan informed the court that all parties had been served and that the matter had been fixed for further proceedings before the High Court on June 8, 2026.
Representing the Lagos State Attorney-General’s Office, Adebola Araba stated that he had not personally reviewed the enrolled order, although Osipitan maintained that the Attorney-General’s office had been duly served.
Counsel to the deceased child’s family, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), disclosed that four witness statements had already been filed and exchanged among the parties. He said the witnesses include the child’s father, Dr. Ivara Esege, two medical experts based in the United States, and a consultant from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
Pinheiro stated that the family would obey the High Court’s directive but remained committed to ensuring that the inquest proceeds. He urged the Coroner’s Court to adjourn the matter until after the court vacation rather than indefinitely.
Counsel for Atlantis Paediatric Hospital, Efe Ize-Iyamu, confirmed that his client had also been served with the court processes and aligned with the position that, while the stay order must be respected, the hospital had already filed its response to the application.
During the proceedings, Osipitan maintained that the alleged cremation of the child’s remains before the commencement of the inquest raises fundamental legal questions about jurisdiction. Pinheiro, however, disagreed, arguing that the Coroner’s Law permits inquests to be conducted even where a body is unavailable.
After hearing submissions from all parties, Magistrate Adetunji adjourned the matter to October 8, 2026.
The stay order was granted on May 26, 2026, by Justice Aishat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court, Osborne Foreshore, who held that Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited had raised substantial issues deserving judicial review. The judge ruled that the leave granted to challenge the proceedings should operate as a stay of all further actions in the inquest until the substantive case is determined.
The hospital is seeking orders to quash decisions made by the Coroner’s Court in relation to the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, who died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Justice Opesanwo directed the applicant to file its substantive processes within 14 days and serve all respondents, including the Coroner, the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Dr. Ivara Esege, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Atlantis Paediatric Hospital Limited.
The latest adjournment comes months after the inquest was temporarily paused in May following an intervention by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), who sought consultations among all parties involved in the matter.
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