The coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege, was stalled on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital told the Coroner’s Court it had received an order to pause further proceedings.
The case was brought before Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji at Court 9 in the Igbosere Magisterial District, Yaba, Lagos. It was set to begin with witness testimony.
However, the proceedings were put on hold when Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, representing Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, informed the court that the hospital had initiated judicial review proceedings in the Lagos State High Court.
Osipitan explained that the hospital was questioning, among other things, whether the Coroner’s Court had the authority to hold the inquest without the deceased’s body.
The senior advocate told the coroner that the High Court had allowed the judicial review application and ordered that this approval would pause the proceedings until the case is decided.
He also told the court that even though the Lagos State Attorney-General’s Office refused to accept the legal documents, there was proof that they had been served.
As a result, the Coroner’s Court could not take witness testimony as planned.
Family Files Witness Statements
Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, speaking for the family, confirmed they had received the originating processes and the High Court order.
Pinheiro said that everyone involved must follow the court orders.
He told the coroner that the family had already submitted four sworn witness statements, including one from Dr Ivara Esege.
He also said that statements from independent medical experts in Nigeria and the United States had been filed with the court, and these experts were expected to testify at the inquest.
‘Innocent Man Not Afraid Of Light’
Pinheiro asked the court not to postpone the case without setting a new date.
He requested that the case be postponed to a specific date after the court vacation, so the parties could update the court on what happens in the High Court.
Stressing the need for transparency and public confidence in the fact-finding process, 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.”
Counsel representing Atlantis Paediatric Hospital also supported the request for a definite adjournment instead of an indefinite postponement.
After hearing counsel’s submissions, the coroner adjourned the matter until October 8, 2026, for a report on the status of the High Court proceedings.
The adjournment means that although the inquest was scheduled to begin hearing evidence on the circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death, no witness was called and no testimony was taken.
The stay order has also delayed the testimony of several expert witnesses whose reports have already been filed before the Coroner’s Court.
The fresh legal challenge has now shifted attention from the Coroner’s Court to the Lagos State High Court, whose decision will determine when the fact-finding exercise can proceed.