Author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and her husband, Ivara Esege, have asked the Lagos State High Court to dismiss a suit filed by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to stop the coroner’s inquest into the death of their son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
Kemi Pinheiro, counsel to Adichie and Esege, described the hospital’s suit as premature during proceedings on Monday.
He argued that the coroner had not yet made any findings that could be reviewed or nullified by the high court.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, following complications during a series of preparatory medical procedures at Euracare Hospital.
The coroner’s inquest, which began in February at the Igbosere magisterial district in Yaba, was initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the 21-month-old child’s death.
During the proceedings, it emerged that Nkanu had been cremated, raising questions about the availability of primary forensic evidence.
Euracare subsequently approached the Lagos High Court seeking a judicial review of the coroner’s decision to assume jurisdiction, particularly in view of the cremation.
In June, the high court ordered a temporary suspension of the inquest pending a judicial review of the circumstances under which it was initiated and conducted. The coroner subsequently adjourned proceedings until October.
At Monday’s hearing, Pinheiro argued that the inquest remained at the preliminary stage, with no witnesses called and no evidence tendered.
He also cited Section 21 of the Lagos State Coroners’ System Law, arguing that an inquest could proceed where a body had been destroyed or could not be recovered.
According to him, the absence of the child’s remains did not extinguish the coroner’s jurisdiction.
Lawal Pedro, the Lagos State Attorney-General, also urged the court to dismiss Euracare’s suit.
However, Taiwo Osipitan, counsel for Euracare, argued that the hospital should not be required to present its evidence first when the complainants had yet to substantiate their allegations of medical incompetence.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Aisat Opesanwo reserved ruling on the matter until October 12, 2026.