The Lagos State Judiciary has fixed April 14, 2026, for the commencement of a coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Recall that the toddler passed away on January 7, 2026, after developing complications reportedly linked to a series of preparatory medical procedures.
Following the incident, the Adichie family served a legal notice on the hospitals involved, alleging that acts of medical negligence and professional misconduct contributed to the child’s death.
The inquest date was fixed by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji of the Yaba Magistrate Court after counsel representing all parties formally announced their appearances in court.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, appeared for the Adichie family, while Adebola Rahman represented the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. Legal representatives for Atlantis Hospital and Euracare were also present during the proceedings.
In her remarks, Magistrate Adetunji disclosed that the inquest was initiated at the request of the Attorney-General, stressing that the Lagos State Government has a vested interest in ensuring a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
“The Lagos State Government is also bereaved; that is why the Attorney-General has taken this step. It is not just the family of the deceased that is affected,” she stated.
The court directed all parties to file and exchange their witness statements ahead of the hearing. According to the magistrate, the central aim of the inquest is to determine the exact cause of death, with proceedings set to commence with the presentation of the autopsy report.
Counsel to the family informed the court of plans to tender evidence pointing to alleged gross medical negligence, including claims of possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and misdiagnosis.
The family is expected to call five independent medical experts as witnesses, in addition to the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor.
Magistrate Adetunji further ruled that Euracare will open its case at the start of the inquest, after which the Adichie family will present their evidence, followed by Atlantis Hospital.
The matter was adjourned to April 14, 2026, for the formal commencement of the coroner’s inquest.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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