- Lagos court adjourned Nkanu Adichie Esege inquest to May 5
- Proceedings stalled after parties failed to file witness statements
- Medical council indicted three doctors over alleged negligence
A coroner’s court in Lagos State has adjourned the inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Adichie Esege, son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to May 5 for definite hearing.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the adjournment was announced on Tuesday by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, who is presiding over the inquest ordered by the Lagos State Judiciary. Proceedings were held at the JIC Taylor Courthouse in Igbosere, although earlier sittings had taken place at the Magistrates’ Court in Yaba.
At the previous sitting on February 25, the court directed Euracare Multi Specialist Hospital to open its defence by calling witnesses. All parties were also ordered to file and exchange witness statements on oath before the April 14 hearing, with evidence to be taken sequentially beginning with Euracare, followed by the deceased’s family and Atlantis Paediatric Hospital.
However, proceedings could not continue on Tuesday after the court observed that none of the parties complied with the directive to file and exchange witness statements.
Appearing as lead counsel for Euracare, Taiwo Osipitan, said there was no clear directive on which party should file first. He added that the hospital planned to file an interlocutory application seeking a post mortem examination to determine the cause of death, as well as access to the deceased’s medical records from his parents, Dr Ivara Esege and Chimamanda Adichie Esege.
Magistrate Adetunji, however, noted that the issue of an autopsy had already been addressed, referencing earlier arguments by counsel to the family, Kemi Pinheiro, who cited legal provisions allowing an inquest to proceed without a post mortem. She maintained that additional requests should not delay proceedings.
The court urged all parties to comply with directives, stressing that the inquest is aimed at uncovering the facts surrounding the death and providing closure for the family.
The matter was adjourned to May 5, May 20, and June 3 for continuation of hearing.
Master Nkanu was admitted to Euracare on January 6, 2026, after referral and died the following day. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has since established a prima facie case of medical negligence against three doctors and issued interim suspensions pending disciplinary proceedings.
