The Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne, Ikoyi, has ordered a temporary suspension of the coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned writer Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege.
Justice A.O. Opesanwo granted the interim order following an ex parte application filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The hospital is challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner’s court to continue the inquest into the child’s death.
The company argued that the child’s remains were allegedly cremated before the commencement of the proceedings, raising questions over the legal basis of the inquiry.
Its legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Taiwo Osipitan, also faulted a directive requiring the hospital to open its defence and call witnesses before other parties.
In his ruling, Justice Opesanwo held that the application raised serious legal questions that should be considered at the substantive stage.
“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 ruled.
The court directed Eurapharma Care Services to file its substantive application for judicial review within 14 days.
Pending the determination of the matter, all proceedings before the coroner’s court have been suspended.
The respondents in the suit include Senior Magistrate A.A. Adetunji, the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Ivara Esege, Chimamanda Adichie, and Atlantis Pediatric Hospital Limited.
This online medium reports that the court order comes amid reports that the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel suspended Euracare’s Medical Director, Dr Tunde Majekodunmi, and two other medical personnel over allegations linked to the management of the child before his death.
The case was adjourned to June 9, 2026, for further hearing.
