Proceedings in the coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, have been adjourned until October 8, 2026.
The adjournment was ordered on Wednesday by Atinuke Adetunji, the coroner sitting at the Igbosere Magisterial District in Yaba, following a directive from the Lagos High Court temporarily halting the inquest.
The high court had earlier issued a stay of proceedings after Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital filed an application seeking judicial review of the coroner’s jurisdiction and the manner in which the inquest was initiated.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, after complications linked to a series of preparatory medical procedures. The author later issued a legal notice accusing the hospital of alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct.
The inquest, which began in February, later revealed that the child had been cremated before the proceedings commenced, raising concerns about the availability of key forensic evidence.
During Wednesday’s sitting, counsel to the hospital, Taiwo Osipitan, told the coroner that the Lagos High Court had granted leave for judicial review and ordered that the proceedings be suspended pending the determination of the case.
He argued that the court needed to first determine whether the coroner had jurisdiction to proceed, especially given the absence of the child’s body.
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Counsel to the family, Kemi Pinheiro, confirmed receipt of the court order and said the family had already filed multiple witness statements, including testimony from the child’s father, Ivara Esege, as well as medical experts from Nigeria and the United States.
Pinheiro urged the court to fix a definite date rather than an open-ended adjournment, stressing the need for clarity as the judicial review continues.
Following submissions from both sides, the coroner adjourned the matter to October 8, 2026, for a progress report on the ongoing high court proceedings.