Court Allows Coroner's Inquest into Chimamanda Adichie's Son

On October 12, 2026, a Lagos State High Court ruled that the cremation of Nkanu Esege, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, does not prevent a coroner from investigating his death. Justice Aishat Opesanwo delivered the ruling while dismissing an application from Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital.

The hospital argued that the cremation meant a post-mortem examination could not be conducted and sought to halt the coroner's inquest. However, Justice Opesanwo stated that the law mandates an inquest under specified conditions, regardless of the deceased's body location.

She emphasized that the inquest is a fact-finding process, not a trial, and that concerns about speculation were unfounded as the inquest had not yet formally begun. Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, following medical procedures, prompting the investigation into the circumstances of his death.