Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have urged a Lagos State High Court to dismiss a suit filed by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital. The hospital is seeking to halt a coroner's inquest into the death of their 21-month-old baby, Nkanu Adichie-Esege. The child's parents made the application through their counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, on Monday, September 29, 2026.
The suit, filed by Euracare, seeks a judicial review of the coroner's assumption of jurisdiction and the manner in which the inquest was initiated and conducted. The hospital is challenging the coroner's jurisdiction, citing that the child's body had been cremated before the commencement of the inquest. However, Pinheiro argued that the suit is premature and lacks a solid basis, as the coroner had not made any findings that could be subject to review by the high court.
Pinheiro cited Section 21 of the Lagos State Coroners' System Law, which permits an inquest to proceed even where a body has been destroyed or cannot be recovered. He averred that the absence of Nkanu's remains did not, in itself, deprive the coroner of jurisdiction to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. The Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro SAN, also urged the court to dismiss the hospital's suit.
Nkanu Adichie-Esege, one of Chimamanda Adichie's twins, died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare after falling ill with a fever while the family was in Lagos for the holidays. A coroner commenced proceedings to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child's death in February. During the proceedings, it emerged that Nkanu's remains had been cremated, raising questions about the availability of the body for forensic examination.
In June, the High Court ordered a temporary halt to the inquest pending the determination of the judicial review proceedings. Following the order, the coroner adjourned the proceedings until October. At Monday's proceedings, Euracare's counsel, Taiwo Osipitan SAN, argued that the hospital should not be forced to present its evidence first when the complainant had not presented its case.
Justice Aisat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court reserved ruling on the matter until October 12, 2026. The court's decision will determine whether the coroner's inquest will proceed. The inquest aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nkanu's death and provide clarity on the events leading to the child's passing.
The case has raised questions about the jurisdiction of the coroner and the rights of the hospital in the investigation. Three key points have emerged: the hospital's suit may be premature, the coroner's jurisdiction is not affected by the absence of the body, and the court must determine whether the inquest can proceed.
Key points
- The Lagos State High Court will determine whether the coroner's inquest into Nkanu Adichie-Esege's death can proceed.
- Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital is challenging the coroner's jurisdiction due to the cremation of the child's body.
- Chimamanda Adichie and her husband have urged the court to dismiss the hospital's suit.
