The Lagos State High Court has cleared the way for a coroner's inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The court ruled that the cremation of his body did not prevent the inquiry from proceeding. Justice Aishat Opesanwo gave the ruling while striking out an application by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital.
Nkanu Esege died on January 7, 2026, following medical procedures, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The hospital had argued that the cremation made a post-mortem examination impossible and deprived the coroner of jurisdiction. They also challenged the procedure for receiving statements and evidence from medical personnel and other parties connected with the facilities where Nkanu was treated.
Justice Opesanwo held that conducting an inquest was a statutory obligation where the circumstances of a death met the conditions prescribed by law. The hospital failed to disprove the conditions empowering the coroner to proceed under Section 15 of the Coroners System Law of Lagos State 2007. The judge explained that the law did not require the deceased's body to remain within the coroner's district when the inquest was held.
The judge rejected the argument that the absence of the body would necessarily render the inquiry speculative. Describing the hospital's concerns about the eventual outcome as premature, she noted that the inquest had yet to commence formally. Justice Opesanwo emphasized that a coroner's inquest was a fact-finding exercise intended to establish who died, how, when, and where the death occurred.
The inquest is not a trial to determine guilt or apportion blame, Justice Opesanwo said. "It is not a trial, no one is on trial in a coroner's court," she stated. The judge also dismissed the hospital's fair hearing argument, holding that the coroner had the discretion to determine the sequence in which statements and evidence would be received.
The court upheld the respondents' preliminary objections and struck out the hospital's application, clearing the way for the inquest to proceed. The hospital had sought to stop the inquest, but the court ruled that the coroner had the discretion to proceed with the inquiry. The inquest will now proceed to establish the circumstances surrounding Nkanu Esege's death.
The case has significant implications for coroner's inquests in Lagos State. The court's ruling establishes that cremation of a body does not necessarily prevent a coroner's inquest from proceeding. The inquest will aim to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding Nkanu Esege's death and may lead to changes in medical procedures or hospital policies.
Key points
- The Lagos State High Court has cleared the way for a coroner's inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, son of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
- The court ruled that the cremation of Nkanu Esege's body did not prevent the inquiry from proceeding.
- The inquest will aim to establish the circumstances surrounding Nkanu Esege's death, including who died, how, when, and where.
