Chimamanda Adichie, Nigerian author, and her husband, Ivara Esege, have asked the Lagos high court to dismiss a suit filed by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to halt the coroner’s inquest into the death of their son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
Kemi Pinheiro, counsel for Adichie and Esege, told the court on Monday that the suit filed by the hospital was “premature”.
Pinheiro said the coroner is yet to make any finding that could be nullified by the Lagos high court.
BACK STORY
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, following complications during a series of preparatory medical procedures at Euracare Hospital
In February, the coroner sitting at the Igbosere magisterial district in Yaba commenced proceedings to investigate and determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Adichie’s son.
TheCable reported that during the proceedings, it emerged that the child had been cremated — a development that raised questions about the availability of the primary forensic evidence.
Subsequently, the hospital approached the Lagos high court to seek a judicial review of whether the coroner’s court properly assumed jurisdiction, particularly considering that the child’s body had already been cremated before the inquest began.
In June, the Lagos high court ordered a temporary halt to the coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu, pending a judicial review of how the inquest was initiated and conducted
Afterwards, the coroner adjourned the inquest proceedings to October following an order of the Lagos high court.
MONDAY’S PROCEEDINGS
During the court proceedings, Pinheiro said the coroner’s inquest was still at the preliminary stages and that no witness and evidence had been tendered before the coroner.
Counsel for the author argued that the judicial review filed by the hospital could not be used to pre-empt a decision which the coroner had not yet made.
Pinheiro argued that section 21 of the Lagos State Coroners’ System Law stipulates that an inquest can take place when a body has been destroyed or cannot be recovered.
The senior lawyer said the absence of the body does not nullify the coroner’s jurisdiction to conduct an inquest.
Lawal Pedro, the attorney-general of Lagos state, also asked the court to dismiss the hospital’s suit.
Taiwo Osipitan, counsel for Euracare, said the hospital should not be compelled to present its evidence first when the complainant, who had alleged medical incompetence, had not yet presented its evidence.
After hearing the parties, Aisat Opesanwo, the trial judge, reserved ruling until October 12, 2026.
