Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have asked a Lagos High Court to dismiss a suit filed by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital that seeks to stop the coroner’s inquest into the death of their son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
Their counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, told the court on Monday that the hospital’s suit was “premature.”
He argued that the coroner has not yet made any finding that the high court could nullify.Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, after complications during preparatory medical procedures at Euracare Hospital.
In February, a coroner at the Igbosere magisterial district in Yaba began investigating the circumstances of the death.
During those proceedings, it emerged that the child’s body had been cremated, raising questions about the availability of primary forensic evidence.
The hospital later approached the Lagos High Court for a judicial review, challenging whether the coroner’s court properly assumed jurisdiction given that the body had already been cremated.
In June, the high court ordered a temporary halt to the inquest pending the judicial review. The coroner then adjourned the proceedings to October.
On Monday, Pinheiro told the court that the inquest remains at a preliminary stage, with no witnesses or evidence yet presented.
He argued that a judicial review cannot be used to pre-empt a decision the coroner has not made.
Citing Section 21 of the Lagos State Coroners’ System Law, he said an inquest can proceed even when a body has been destroyed or cannot be recovered, and that the absence of the body does not strip the coroner of jurisdiction.
Lagos State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro also urged the court to dismiss the hospital’s suit.
Counsel for Euracare, Taiwo Osipitan, argued that the hospital should not be compelled to present its evidence first while the complainant, who alleged medical incompetence, had not yet presented any evidence.
After hearing the parties, trial judge Aisat Opesanwo reserved ruling until October 12, 2026.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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