The Coroner’s Court at the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos Island has adjourned further proceedings in the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege. The matter has been fixed for October 8, 2026.
Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji made the order on Wednesday following an application by counsel to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN). Osipitan informed the court that the Lagos State High Court had granted a stay of proceedings pending the determination of a judicial review application filed by the hospital.
The hospital is challenging the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court, arguing that the body of the deceased child was allegedly cremated before the inquest was initiated. The judicial review seeks to establish whether the coroner’s court can lawfully proceed with an inquest in the absence of the body.
“The High Court granted leave for judicial review and ordered that, pending the determination of the substantive suit, proceedings before this Coroner’s Court should be stayed,” Osipitan stated. He added that the High Court had adjourned the matter to June 8, 2026.
Counsel from the Lagos State Attorney-General’s Office, Adebola Araba, noted that he had not yet received a copy of the enrolled order, though Osipitan maintained that the office had been served.
Meanwhile, counsel to the deceased’s family, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), revealed that four witness statements on oath had already been filed and served. The witnesses include the child’s father, Dr. Ivara Esege; medical experts Dr. Chinwe Ego from Arizona and another doctor from Minnesota in the United States; and Prof. Adekola of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
While acknowledging the High Court’s order, Pinheiro stressed that the inquest should proceed eventually. “He who has nothing to hide should not fear an open inquest. An innocent man has nothing to fear. It is darkness that fears the light,” he told the court.
Pinheiro urged the coroner to adjourn the matter to a date after the court vacation rather than indefinitely. Counsel for Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Efe Ize-Iyamu, aligned with this position, noting that responses had already been filed.
Osipitan, however, maintained that the core issue before the High Court is whether the Coroner’s Court can assume jurisdiction after the alleged cremation of the child’s body. Pinheiro countered that inquests can still be conducted even without the body and that the family would demonstrate this in proceedings.
After listening to all parties, Magistrate Adetunji adjourned the inquest to October 8, 2026.This is a rewritten version based on the original report from Punch Newspapers.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com