A Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne, Ikoyi, has ordered a temporary suspension of the coroner’s inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the son of renowned author Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege.
The order was granted by Justice A.O. Opesanwo following an ex parte application filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of the Victoria Island hospital where the child reportedly died on January 7, 2026.
Eurapharma is contesting the legality of the inquest, arguing that the coroner lacks jurisdiction to investigate the matter because the child’s remains were allegedly cremated before the proceedings commenced.
The hospital’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, also challenged a directive issued by the coroner’s court requiring the hospital to open its defence and call witnesses first in a case involving allegations of medical negligence.
Named as respondents in the suit are Senior Magistrate A.A. Adetunji, the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ivara Esege, Chimamanda Adichie, and Atlantis Pediatric Hospital Limited.
In his ruling, Justice Opesanwo held that the issues raised by the applicant deserved full judicial consideration.
“The application is not frivolous or vexatious. It raises issues of procedure and fairness that ought to be ventilated at the substantive stage,” the judge stated.
The court subsequently directed Eurapharma Care Services to file its substantive judicial review application within 14 days and ordered that all proceedings before the coroner remain on hold pending further hearing.
The case was adjourned until June 9, 2026.
