The Lagos State High Court has ordered a temporary halt to proceedings in the coroner's inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege. Justice A. O. Opesanwo issued the order on Monday after an ex parte application by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, which operates Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Victoria Island, where the child died on January 7.
Application for Judicial Review
The applicant, represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Professor Taiwo Osipitan, sought leave to initiate judicial review proceedings challenging multiple decisions of the Lagos Coroner's District Court presided over by Senior Magistrate A. A. Adetunji. Eurapharma Care Services argued that the coroner's court lacked jurisdiction because the child's body had been cremated before the inquest began, making a post-mortem examination impossible. The hospital also contested procedural directions requiring it to open its defense and call witnesses first, despite allegations of medical negligence from the parents.
Reliefs Sought
In its motion, Eurapharma Care Services requested several remedies, including orders of certiorari to quash rulings from January 21, February 25, and April 14, 2026. It also sought orders of prohibition to restrain the coroner's court from continuing the inquest, claiming that further proceedings would breach due process and jurisdictional limits.
Court Ruling
Justice Opesanwo ruled that the issues raised were substantial enough for judicial consideration. "The Court is satisfied that the Applicant has met the threshold for the grant of leave. 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 granted leave for judicial review and ordered that the leave operate as a stay of all further proceedings before the coroner's court until the substantive suit is determined. Eurapharma Care Services must file its substantive judicial review processes within 14 days and serve all respondents. The case is adjourned to June 9 for further hearing.
Parties in the Suit
Respondents in the suit include Senior Magistrate A. A. Adetunji, the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Dr. Ivara Esege, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Atlantis Pediatric Hospital Limited. These parties are either directly involved in the coroner proceedings or connected to the treatment and investigation surrounding the child's death.
Background
The Lagos State Government initiated the coroner's inquest after Nkanu Adichie-Esege died on January 7 following treatment at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital. He was later referred to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, where he died. Plans were reportedly underway for a medical evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States. Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege have alleged medical negligence, citing issues with sedation procedures, monitoring lapses, and delayed emergency response. Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that its medical staff acted appropriately. The coroner's inquest was previously suspended following a directive from the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro. In March, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel suspended Euracare's medical director and two doctors after finding a prima facie case of medical negligence. Disciplinary and legal processes remain ongoing.
