KEY POINTS

• Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital obtained a Lagos High Court order staying the coroner’s inquest into Nkanu Adichie-Esege’s death.
• The family has filed four witness statements on oath, including independent medical experts from Nigeria and the United States.
• The coroner adjourned to October 8, 2026, for a report on the High Court proceedings.

The coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of author Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, suffered a major setback on Wednesday after Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital told the Coroner’s Court that it had obtained a Lagos State High Court order staying further proceedings. Consequently, the court adjourned the case to October 8, 2026.

Stay order halts witness testimony

The matter came before Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji at the Igbosere Magisterial District in Yaba, Lagos, on a day set aside for the start of witness testimony. However, counsel to Euracare, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, told the court that the hospital had begun judicial review proceedings challenging, among other issues, the coroner’s jurisdiction to conduct the inquest without the deceased’s body.

According to Osipitan, the High Court granted leave for the judicial review and ordered that the leave operate as a stay of proceedings pending the determination of the suit. Furthermore, he informed the court that the Lagos State Attorney-General’s Office declined service of the originating processes, although proof of service exists.

Family pushes for a definite date as Chimamanda son inquest adjourned

Responding on behalf of the family, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, confirmed receipt of both the originating processes and the High Court order. Meanwhile, he told the coroner that the family had already filed four witness statements on oath, including that of Dr. Esege, along with statements from independent medical experts from Nigeria and the United States who plan to testify.

Pinheiro urged the court to adjourn to a definite date after the court vacation rather than indefinitely, so the parties could report on developments at the High Court. Stressing transparency and public confidence, he said: “He who is innocent does not fear an open inquest.” He added: “The innocent man is not afraid of the lamp, it is the darkness that fears the light.” Similarly, counsel for Atlantis Paediatric Hospital backed a definite adjournment.

After hearing the submissions, the coroner adjourned the matter to October 8, 2026, for a report on the status of the High Court proceedings. As a result, the inquest heard no testimony despite its schedule, and the stay has delayed several expert witnesses whose reports already sit before the Coroner’s Court. Ultimately, attention now shifts to the Lagos State High Court, whose decision will determine when the fact-finding exercise can resume.