The coroner's inquest into the tragic death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege one of the twin sons of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie faces significant challenges due to the child's cremation, which has eliminated the possibility of a postmortem examination and left the court without crucial forensic evidence to establish the exact cause of death.
Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos after experiencing complications during preparatory medical procedures.
The family had sought care amid an illness, with plans to transfer the toddler to a hospital in the United States for further treatment.
Following the death, Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, issued a legal notice to Euracare, accusing the facility of medical negligence, professional misconduct, possible overdose, improper administration of the sedative propofol, wrongful prescription, and misdiagnosis.
The allegations center on claims that hospital staff breached their duty of care, contributing directly to the child's cardiac arrest and demise.
The inquest, requested by the Lagos State Attorney-General and presided over by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji at the Yaba Magistrate Court, aims to determine the cause and circumstances of the death.
During preliminary proceedings, the court emphasized that an autopsy typically serves as the foundational step in such inquiries, providing a professional medical report to guide findings.
However, the family's lawyer disclosed that Nkanu had been cremated, destroying physical evidence and making a traditional autopsy impossible.
The magistrate and representatives noted that without the body, the coroner would face difficulties in conclusively determining the cause of death, potentially relying instead on hospital records, witness testimonies including from five independent medical experts and the child's father and other documentation such as CCTV footage, pharmacy logs, and equipment data.
The court has directed all parties, including Euracare, the referring Atlantis Hospital, and the Adichie family, to submit witness statements ahead of the formal inquest commencement on April 14, 2026.
Euracare is expected to present its account first.The magistrate highlighted the broader implications, stating that the Lagos State government is also affected by the loss, underscoring the case's significance for public trust in Nigeria's healthcare system.
The absence of autopsy evidence may lead to contested expert opinions, raising questions about the inquest's ability to deliver definitive conclusions in this high-profile matter.
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