The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikoyi has fixed October 12, 2026, to rule on an application by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, seeking to stop the coroner's inquest into the death of Nkanu, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie. The hospital is challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner to continue with the inquest following the cremation of Nkanu's body.
Euracare's counsel, Prof Taiwo Osipitan, argued that the circumstances of the case raised questions about the fairness of the proceedings, particularly with allegations of medical negligence made against the hospital and its personnel. He claimed that the inquest had become "accusatorial in substance" because allegations had been raised against the hospital. Osipitan also challenged the proposed order of testimony, arguing that requiring the hospital and its personnel to present their evidence before the deceased's family could affect the hospital's right to a fair hearing.
The hospital's application also relied on Sections 14 and 15 of the Lagos State Coroners System Law, arguing that the coroner's authority was connected to the presence of the deceased's body within the relevant district. Osipitan submitted that determining the identity of the deceased, where and how the person died, as well as the cause of death, ordinarily required a post-mortem examination. He stated that the cremation of Nkanu's body meant such an examination could no longer be conducted, making any conclusion about the cause of death speculative.
However, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, opposed the application, urging the court to allow the coroner to proceed. Pedro argued that the Lagos State Coroners System Law gave the coroner the discretion to conduct an inquest even where a deceased person's body had been destroyed or was unavailable. He relied on Section 21 of the law, which empowered the coroner to continue an investigation despite the absence of a corpse.
Counsel to Nkanu's family, Kemi Pinheiro, also urged the court to dismiss the application, describing it as premature. Pinheiro argued that judicial review remedies could not be used to stop a special proceeding assigned by law to the coroner without a decision showing a breach of rights. He maintained that the cremation of Nkanu's body did not remove the coroner's authority to conduct an inquest.
The inquest is into the death of Nkanu, who died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. His parents, Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, had alleged breaches of duty of care in the treatment of their son. Euracare has denied allegations of medical negligence, describing the claims as inaccurate and unfounded.
The court has adjourned the matter until October 12 for a ruling on the hospital's application. The coroner's inquest aims to determine the cause of Nkanu's death and whether there were any breaches of duty of care by the hospital. The outcome of the inquest will be forwarded to relevant authorities, including the Attorney-General and Director of Public Prosecutions, if further action is considered necessary.
Key points
- The Lagos State High Court will rule on Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital's application to stop the coroner's inquest into the death of Nkanu, son of Chimamanda Adichie.
- The hospital claims that the coroner's inquest is unfair and that the cremation of Nkanu's body makes it impossible to conduct a post-mortem examination.
- The coroner's inquest aims to determine the cause of Nkanu's death and whether there were any breaches of duty of care by the hospital.
