Legal Dispute Stalls Inquest into Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s 21-Month-Old Son

The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Igbosere Magistrate Court on Lagos Island has adjourned further hearing in the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, until October 8, 2026.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the new date on Wednesday after counsel to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, informed the court that the Lagos State High Court had ordered a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of a judicial review application filed by the hospital.

Osipitan explained that Euracare had approached the High Court to challenge the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court, arguing that the child’s body had allegedly been cremated before the inquest commenced. According to him, the judicial review is aimed at determining whether an inquest can proceed in the absence of the deceased’s body.

He further told the court that the High Court had granted leave for judicial review and directed that all proceedings before the Coroner’s Court be stayed pending the determination of the substantive suit. He added that the matter before the High Court has been adjourned to June 8, 2026.

Counsel from the Lagos State Attorney-General’s Office, Adebola Araba, said he had not yet seen the enrolled order, although Osipitan maintained that it had already been served on the office. Meanwhile, counsel to the family, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, confirmed that four witness statements on oath had been filed and served, including those of the child’s father, Dr. Ivara Esege, and medical experts from the United States and Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

While acknowledging the High Court’s order, Pinheiro insisted the inquest should eventually proceed, arguing that a lack of a physical body does not prevent such proceedings. After listening to submissions from all parties, Magistrate Adetunji adjourned the case to October 8, 2026, in line with the stay order issued by the High Court.


Elijah Adeyemi