Court Halts Inquest into Death of Chimamanda Adichie's Son Until September

The Lagos State High Court has adjourned a judicial review challenging the coroner's inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of renowned author Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege. The hearing is now set for September 28, 2026.

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I began to receive processes from the first to third respondents on Friday. We were still attending to those processes when the fourth to sixth respondents served us this morning.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo granted the adjournment after the applicant's counsel informed the court that several respondents had recently served new legal documents. This necessitated time for the applicant to file appropriate responses to these processes and objections.

The suit was filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, which operates the hospital facility where the child died on January 7, 2026. The Coroner's Court had decided to conduct an inquest into the cause and circumstances of the death. However, the court's decision is being challenged through judicial review proceedings.

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We have to reply to the objections of the respondents, and they will need to reply to our response. We also need to reply on points of law to the processes filed by the fourth to sixth respondents.

Previously, on May 26, 2026, Justice Opesanwo had granted Eurapharma Care Services leave to commence judicial review proceedings and ordered a stay of further proceedings in the coroner's inquest. This stay remains in effect pending the determination of the substantive application. Consequently, the coroner suspended inquest proceedings in June.

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My Lord, just to confirm, that is what we agreed on, subject to the court’s convenience.