Lagos High Court Halts Inquest into Adichie Child Death

A Lagos coroner’s inquest into the death of a 21-month-old child has been suspended by a High Court order, halting an investigation that has become mired in a legal dispute over jurisdiction and procedure. The inquest concerns the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, who died on January 7, 2026.

The Lagos State High Court ordered the stay of proceedings pending its review of a legal challenge filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, the parent company of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital where the child died. Justice Aishat Opesanwo granted the order on May 26, 2026, after the hospital argued the coroner’s court may lack the authority to proceed.

The central issue before the High Court is whether a coroner can legally investigate a death when the deceased’s body is no longer available. The hospital’s legal team, led by Professor Taiwo Osipitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, contends the child’s remains were cremated before the inquest began, making any post-mortem examination impossible. The hospital is seeking judicial orders to quash the inquest and prohibit it from continuing.