Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Lagos court rejects hospital bid to stop inquest into toddler’s death
A Lagos State High Court has rejected Euracare’s attempt to stop an inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of writer Chimamanda Adichie and Ivara Esege.
Nkanu died on 7 January after receiving treatment at Atlantis Paediatric Hospital and then Euracare in Lagos.
His parents say medical negligence contributed to his death, while Euracare denies wrongdoing.
The hospital argued that because the child’s remains were cremated, a post-mortem was impossible and the inquest could rely on speculation.
The judge said the absence of a body does not prevent an investigation and that a coroner’s inquest is a fact-finding process, not a trial.
She also said the coroner can decide the order in which witnesses give evidence.
The Lagos State Government initiated the inquest to establish how Nkanu died, and the ruling clears the way for it to proceed.
The Lagos State High Court rejected Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited’s bid to stop a coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
Judge Aishat Opesanwo ruled that the absence of the child’s body did not prevent the inquest from investigating his death.
The judge said the inquest was a fact-finding inquiry and that the coroner could decide the order in which evidence would be presented.
Nkanu, the 21-month-old son of writer Chimamanda Adichie and Ivara Esege, died after receiving treatment at two Lagos hospitals.
His parents allege medical negligence contributed to his death, while Euracare denies wrongdoing.
- Who
- Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operator of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, sought to stop the inquest.
- What
- The Lagos State High Court rejected the application.
- When
- Monday, 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Lagos State High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
- Why
- The judge said the absence of the child’s body did not prevent an inquest, which is a fact-finding inquiry required by law.
Nkanu’s parents
Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited
Medical care
Nkanu’s parents
The parents allege medical negligence contributed to Nkanu’s death and raised concerns about sedation, oxygen, monitoring and the emergency response.
Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited
Euracare denies wrongdoing and says its staff followed standard procedures and Nkanu arrived critically ill.
Inquest proceedings
Nkanu’s parents
The couple’s lawyer argued the hospital’s challenge was premature and that the inquest could proceed despite the cremation.
Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited
The hospital argued that cremation made a post-mortem examination impossible and could leave the inquest relying on speculation.
Order of evidence
Nkanu’s parents
The couple’s lawyer said the coroner had discretion over the order of evidence.
Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited
The hospital argued it should not have to present evidence before the family supported its allegations of negligence.
Nkanu died after receiving treatment at Atlantis Paediatric Hospital and being referred to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital.
The order for presenting evidence was discussed before the coroner; the family was to present its evidence first, according to Atlantis Paediatric Hospital’s lawyer.
The High Court granted Eurapharma leave to challenge the inquest and temporarily suspended it pending determination of the application.
The court heard arguments on the hospital’s application.
The High Court rejected Eurapharma’s bid to stop the inquest.
- Child
- Nkanu Adichie-Esege, 21 months old
- Parents
- Chimamanda Adichie and Ivara Esege
- Hospital operator
- Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited
- Court
- Lagos State High Court in Ikoyi
- Date of death
- 7 January
- Inquest
- Lagos State Government initiated a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances of Nkanu’s death.
What people are saying
A coroner’s inquest is a fact-finding inquiry… It is not a trial. No one is on trial in a coroner’s court,
Sources
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