A Lagos coroner has paused the inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, 21-month-old son of author Chimamanda Adichie, until Oct 8, 2026.
Coroner Atinuke Adetunji at Igbosere Magistrate Court in Yaba adjourned Wednesday after the Lagos High Court ordered a temporary halt.
The High Court granted Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital leave for judicial review to challenge whether the coroner’s court had jurisdiction, since Nkanu’s body was cremated before the inquest began.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, died Jan 7, 2026 from complications during medical procedures at Euracare. Adichie later accused the hospital of negligence.
The inquest started in February to determine what happened.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Euracare’s lawyer Taiwo Osipitan said the High Court order means all proceedings must stop until the review is decided.
The family’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, confirmed they received the court order. Pinheiro noted the family already filed 4 witness statements, including from Nkanu’s father Ivara Esege and medical experts from Nigeria and the US. He asked for a definite date after court vacation instead of an indefinite delay.
“The innocent man is not afraid of the lamp; it is the darkness that fears the light,” Pinheiro told the court.
The coroner set Oct 8 for parties to report back on the High Court case. The cremation of Nkanu before the inquest began has already raised questions about missing forensic evidence.
