The Lagos State High Court sitting at Osborne Foreshore has adjourned until September 28, 2026, the hearing of a judicial review application challenging the proceedings of the coroner’s inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege.
Key Highlights:
- Lagos High Court adjourns judicial review of Chimamanda Adichie’s son’s death to Sept 28, 2026.
- Eurapharma Care Services challenges the coroner’s inquest and seeks to stop proceedings.
- Court allowed more time for Eurapharma to respond to legal filings.
- Earlier, a stay on the inquest was ordered pending the review.
- Hospital argues coroner lacks jurisdiction and disputes procedural rulings.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo fixed the new hearing date on Monday, after counsel to Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, the applicant in the suit, informed the court that several respondents had only recently served legal processes, making it necessary to seek additional time to respond.
Counsel to the applicant, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), explained that the company began receiving responses from some of the respondents on Friday, while additional processes were served on Monday morning.
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According to him, the applicant requires time to file replies to the objections raised and address legal issues contained in the various processes before the matter can proceed.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro (SAN), who appeared for the first to third respondents, confirmed that all parties had agreed on the September 28 date, subject to the court’s approval.
Following submissions from counsel, Justice Opesanwo adjourned the matter to September 28, 2026, for hearing.
The case stems from the decision of the Coroner’s Court, presided over by Senior Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, who died on January 7, 2026, at Eurapharma Care Services’ hospital facility in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Earlier, on May 26, 2026, Justice Opesanwo granted Eurapharma leave to commence judicial review proceedings challenging aspects of the coroner’s inquest.
The court also ruled that the leave granted should operate as a stay of further proceedings in the inquest pending the determination of the substantive application.
Following that ruling, Magistrate Adetunji suspended proceedings in the inquest on June 3 and adjourned the matter until October 8, 2026.
The respondents in the judicial review suit include Senior Magistrate and Coroner, Atinuke Adetunji, the chief coroner of Lagos State, the attorney-general and commissioner for justice of Lagos State, Dr. Ivara Esege, Chimamanda Adichie and Atlantis Pediatric Hospital Limited.
In the suit marked LD/7069MJR/2026, Eurapharma Care Services is seeking orders of certiorari and prohibition to quash and restrain the Coroner’s Court from continuing with the inquest.
The hospital is challenging decisions made by the Coroner’s Court on January 21, February 25 and April 14, 2026, which directed that the inquest should proceed.
Eurapharma argues that the coroner lacked jurisdiction to continue with the proceedings because the deceased child’s body was allegedly cremated before the coroner’s jurisdiction was activated, making a post-mortem examination impossible.
The company is also contesting the coroner’s directive requiring it to open its defence and call witnesses first despite allegations of medical negligence and misconduct levelled against the hospital.
In granting leave for the judicial review application, Justice Opesanwo held that the case raised substantial issues deserving judicial consideration.
The judge noted that the application was neither frivolous nor vexatious and involved important questions relating to procedure and fairness that should be determined at the substantive hearing.
The court is expected to hear arguments from all parties when proceedings resume on September 28.
