Coroner’s Inquest to Probe Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son Set for April
The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court, Lagos, has scheduled April 14, 2026 for the commencement of a formal inquest into the death of 21‑month‑old Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege.
Presiding Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji adjourned the matter after a preliminary session convened to outline the framework of the inquiry. The toddler died on January 7, 2026, following medical procedures at Euracare Multi‑Specialist Hospital, Lagos, after referral from Atlantis Hospital where he had initially been admitted for a worsening illness.
Court documents indicate that the child underwent several diagnostic and invasive procedures including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, insertion of a PICC line, and intravenous sedation with propofol—before his sudden death.
At the hearing, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) appeared for the family, while Adebola Rahman represented the Attorney‑General of Lagos State. Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe appeared for Atlantis Hospital, and Euracare was also represented.
Magistrate Adetunji confirmed that the inquest was initiated at the request of the Attorney‑General, acting on an application from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State. She stressed that the matter is of public concern, directing all parties to file witness statements before the adjourned date. She further noted that an autopsy remains the starting point of coroner proceedings.
Counsel for the family, Pinheiro, maintained that the child’s death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention. He disclosed that the family intends to present evidence of alleged gross medical negligence, including overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and wrongful diagnosis. Five independent medical experts including an anesthesiologist, paediatric anaesthesia specialist, radiologist, intensivist, and the child’s father are expected to testify.
Pinheiro also urged the court to order Euracare to preserve all physical and electronic evidence from January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, monitoring data, pharmacy records, equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity/mortality review documents.
The magistrate ruled that Euracare will open its case at the substantive hearing, followed by the family and then Atlantis Hospital.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, Adichie and her husband accused Euracare and its medical personnel of breaching their duty of care. They cited cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection, failure of continuous monitoring, transfer without oxygen, insufficient medical support, lack of resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition of distress, and non‑compliance with paediatric anaesthesia standards.
The court will reconvene on April 14, 2026, to begin the substantive hearing into the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death.
