A coroner at the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos has scheduled April 14, 2026, for the commencement of a formal inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of renown Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege.
Atinuke Adetunji, the senior magistrate fixed the date during preliminary proceedings held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, setting the stage for a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The inquest follows a formal request by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, who sought an investigation into the incident. Acting on the request, the chief Coroner filed an application before the court, prompting the current proceedings.
At the hearing,Kemi Pinheiro, a senior advocate of Nigeria appeared for the family, while Adebola Rahman represented the Attorney-General. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe of Health Ethics and Law Consulting appeared for Atlantis Hospital, and separate counsel represented Euracare Multispecialist Hospital.
Adetunji (earlier quoted) clarified that the session was convened to address procedural issues and confirm readiness for the substantive hearing. She directed all parties to file their witness statements ahead of the adjourned date to help define the issues in dispute.
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The court noted that the Lagos State Government considers the matter significant and is keen on establishing the facts surrounding the child’s death. The magistrate observed that an autopsy typically forms the foundation of a coroner’s inquest, providing medical insight into the cause of death.
Counsel to the family urged the court to proceed, maintaining that the death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention.
The family is also expected to present allegations of gross medical negligence, including possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and misdiagnosis.
Five independent medical experts, among them specialists in anaesthesiology, paediatric anaesthesia, radiology and intensive care, are expected to testify. Esege (Chimamanda’s husband) was also listed as a prospective witness.
The family has requested that Euracare preserve all physical and electronic evidence relating to January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, medical records, pharmacy logs and internal communications.
