The Lagos State High Court in Osborne, Ikoyi, has ordered a temporary halt to the coroner's inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege. The suspension will remain in effect until a judicial review application challenging the legality of the inquest is determined.
Justice A.O. Opesanwo issued the order after hearing an ex parte application filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, which operates Euracare hospital in Victoria Island, where the child reportedly died on January 7, 2026.
The application, submitted by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, sought permission to challenge decisions made by the Lagos Coroner's District Court, presided over by Senior Magistrate A.A. Adetunji.
Euracare hospital is contesting the coroner court's decision to proceed with the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the child's death, despite claims that the deceased's body had been cremated before the coroner's jurisdiction was activated.
In its application, Eurapharma Care Services argued that the coroner court lacked jurisdiction to continue the inquest because the body was allegedly no longer available for examination, having been cremated before preliminary proceedings began.
The applicant also challenged the coroner court's directive requiring it to open its defense and call witnesses first during the inquest, despite allegations of medical negligence and misconduct leveled against it by the fourth and fifth respondents.
Among other reliefs, the hospital sought orders of certiorari to quash decisions made by the coroner court on January 21, February 25, and April 14, 2026, as well as orders of prohibition to restrain further proceedings in the inquest.
After reviewing the motion, affidavit evidence, and written submissions, Justice Opesanwo ruled that the application raised substantial issues deserving judicial consideration.
"The Court is satisfied that the Applicant has met the threshold for the grant of leave. The application is after all not frivolous or vexatious. It raises issues of procedure and fairness that ought to be ventilated at the substantive stage," the judge stated.
Consequently, the court granted leave to Eurapharma Care Services to commence judicial review proceedings seeking orders of certiorari and prohibition against the decisions of the coroner court in Suit No. MCL/1/CONA/2026.
Justice Opesanwo further ordered that, pursuant to Order 44 Rule 3(6)(a) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the leave granted shall operate as a stay of all further proceedings before the coroner court pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
The court directed the applicant to file its substantive judicial review processes within 14 days and ensure service on all respondents.
The matter has been adjourned to June 9, 2026, for further proceedings.
