Hospital Seeks To Stop Inquest Into Chimamanda’s Son’s Death

Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos, has asked the Lagos State High Court to stop the coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege.

Nkanu, one of the couple’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Hospital while undergoing medical treatment.

The hospital is challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, to continue with the inquest, particularly because the child’s remains were cremated before the proceedings.

Eurapharma is seeking judicial review orders to quash decisions already made in connection with the inquest and prevent the coroner from continuing with the proceedings.

The hospital’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Taiwo Osipitan, also challenged the order in which evidence is expected to be presented. He argued that the hospital should not be required to begin presenting its evidence before the family, which has made allegations concerning medical care, presents its case.

Osipitan said compelling the hospital to lead evidence first could raise concerns about its right to a fair hearing.

However, counsel representing Chimamanda Adichie and Ivara Esege, Kemi Pinheiro, argued that the hospital’s application was premature.

Pinheiro said the coroner had not yet made any substantive finding or decision that could be reviewed or quashed by the High Court.

He also argued that the Lagos State Coroners’ System Law allows an inquest to proceed where a body has been destroyed or cannot be recovered.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, also urged the court to dismiss the hospital’s application and allow the inquest to continue.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, heard arguments from the parties before reserving ruling on the application.

The judge fixed October 12, 2026, to deliver her ruling on whether the hospital’s challenge should succeed.

The coroner’s inquest itself had previously been adjourned to October 8 following an earlier High Court order temporarily staying the proceedings.

The dispute therefore centres on whether the coroner can lawfully continue investigating Nkanu’s death and whether the cremation of his remains affects the court’s jurisdiction.

The High Court’s October 12 ruling is expected to determine the immediate legal direction of the inquest.