A Coroner sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has adjourned until April 14, 2026, the commencement of the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege.
Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday during preliminary proceedings.
At the hearing, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro appeared for the family, while Adebola Rahman represented the Lagos State Attorney-General. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe of Health Ethics and Law Consulting appeared for Atlantis Hospital, with separate counsel representing Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital.
Magistrate Adetunji disclosed that the court received an application from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State following a request by the Attorney-General that an inquest be conducted. She noted that the Lagos State Government also considers itself affected by the tragedy.
“The Lagos State Government is also bereaved; that is why the Attorney-General has taken this step. It is not just the family of the deceased that is affected,” she said.
The magistrate explained that the preliminary session was to determine whether a formal inquest would proceed and directed all parties to file witness statements before the next adjourned date.
Autopsy And Evidence
Magistrate Adetunji stated that an autopsy is generally the starting point in any inquest, as it provides a professional medical report to guide proceedings.
Pinheiro urged the court to proceed with the hearing, maintaining that the child’s death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention. He said the family would present evidence alleging gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and wrongful diagnosis.
According to him, the family plans to call five independent medical professionals, including an anesthesiologist, a paediatric anaesthesia specialist, a radiologist, and an intensivist, alongside the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor.
Pinheiro also requested that Euracare preserve all physical and electronic records from January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, monitoring data, pharmacy logs, emergency equipment records, and internal communications.
The magistrate ruled that Euracare would open its case at the substantive hearing, followed by the family and then Atlantis Hospital.
Background To The Case
Nkanu Adichie reportedly died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing diagnostic procedures at Euracare in Lagos.
The child was initially admitted to Atlantis for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness. Plans were reportedly underway to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States when he was referred to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures.
The procedures allegedly included imaging scans and the insertion of a central line, as well as intravenous sedation. The parents claim the child developed severe complications during transfer within the facility.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by Pinheiro’s law firm, the parents accused Euracare and its medical personnel of breaching their duty of care. The allegations include concerns about sedation management, monitoring, emergency response readiness, and adherence to paediatric safety standards.
The court is expected to reconvene on April 14, 2026, for the commencement of the substantive inquest proceedings.
What You Should Know
A Lagos coroner has adjourned the inquest into the death of Nkanu, son of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to April 14, 2026.
The family alleges medical negligence during diagnostic procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, while the Lagos State Government has requested a formal inquiry.
The court has directed parties to file witness statements and emphasised that an autopsy report will guide proceedings.
The inquest aims to determine the exact cause of death and assess whether established medical and safety standards were followed.
