A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikoyi has fixed October 12, 2026, to rule on an application by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi Specialist Hospital, seeking to stop the coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie Esege, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie.
Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, at the hospital in Lagos. His parents, Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege, later raised allegations of breaches of duty of care in the treatment of their son. Euracare has denied the allegations, describing them as inaccurate and unfounded.
The hospital is asking the High Court to quash decisions already made in connection with the inquest and prevent Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji from continuing with the proceedings.
One of the hospital’s major arguments concerns the cremation of Nkanu’s remains. Its counsel, Prof Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, argued that the absence of the body meant a post mortem examination could no longer be conducted, raising questions about how the cause of death could be established.
The hospital also challenged the decision requiring it and its personnel to present witnesses before the deceased’s family.
However, the Lagos State Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, SAN, and counsel to Nkanu’s family, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the application. They argued that the coroner has legal powers to conduct an inquest even where a deceased person’s body is unavailable.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo subsequently adjourned the matter until October 12 for ruling.
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