Court to Decide on Inquest into Chimamanda Adichie's Son

Justice Aishat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court in Ikoyi will decide on October 12 whether to halt the coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie. The application was filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, where Nkanu allegedly died during medical procedures on January 7, 2026.

The hospital seeks an order of certiorari to quash prior decisions related to the inquest and a prohibition against Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji from proceeding. Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), representing the hospital, raised concerns about fair hearing and the order of witness testimonies, arguing that the inquest's nature was accusatorial due to allegations of medical negligence.

He also questioned the Coroner's jurisdiction after the cremation of the deceased's body, asserting that a post-mortem examination was necessary to establish the cause of death. Conversely, Lagos State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro (SAN) argued for the inquest's continuation despite the body’s destruction.