Probe into Chimamanda's son's death put on hold after judicial directive

The Coroner’s Court, sitting at the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos Island, has postponed further proceedings in the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the son of Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, until October 8, 2026.

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This decision was made on Wednesday, following a revelation by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, counsel to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, that the Lagos State High Court had ordered a stay of the inquest pending the determination of a judicial review application filed by the hospital.

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Osipitan informed the court that Euracare was challenging the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court to conduct the inquest, citing that the deceased child’s body had been cremated before the commencement of the proceedings, which raises questions about the court's ability to investigate the cause of death.

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The judicial review application, according to Osipitan, seeks to determine whether the Coroner’s Court properly assumed jurisdiction and whether it can lawfully investigate the cause of death in the absence of the body.

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Osipitan stated that the High Court had granted leave for the judicial review proceedings and ordered that further proceedings before the Coroner’s Court be stayed pending the determination of the substantive suit, adding that there was also a consequential order to stay the Coroner’s Court proceedings.

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Counsel from the Lagos State Attorney-General’s Office, Adebola Araba, noted that he had not personally seen the order, although Osipitan maintained that the Attorney-General’s office had been duly served.

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Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, counsel to the deceased’s family, informed the court that four witness statements on oath had been filed and served on all parties, including the child’s father, Dr. Ivara Esege, and medical experts from the United States.

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Pinheiro emphasized that although the family would abide by the stay order, they remained committed to pursuing the inquest, stating that an innocent person has nothing to fear from an open inquest.

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Pinheiro urged the court to adjourn the matter until after the court vacation rather than indefinitely, quoting that "he who has nothing to hide should not fear an open inquest."

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Counsel to Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Efe Ize-Iyamu, informed the court that his client had been served with the judicial review processes and enrolled order and had already filed its response.

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Osipitan reiterated that the central issue was the legal consequence of the cremation of the child’s body before the activation of the coroner’s jurisdiction, in a brief reply to the statements made by other counsel.

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After hearing the parties, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji adjourned the matter until October 8, 2026, in view of the subsisting stay order issued by the High Court.