Coroner, Lagos AG Differ On Stalled Adichie Inquest –
Coroner Court Suspends Inquest into Death of 21-Month-Old Boy
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Coroner Court at the J.I.C. Taylor Courthouse suspended its hearing on Tuesday regarding the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of prominent author Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege. The suspension will remain in effect pending further instructions from the Chief Coroner, Justice Mojisola Dada.
Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji halted the proceedings after learning the Attorney General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro (SAN), requested the postponement until his meeting with the involved parties. The attorney representing the Attorney General, Adebola Araba, indicated that this meeting is now scheduled for May 12, 2026.
During the hearing, Araba stated he had received a directive to inform the court of the meeting’s rescheduling. Counsel for the deceased’s parents, Adeyinka Aderemi (SAN), confirmed receipt of a letter dated April 23, 2026, regarding the meeting time, but mentioned they had only learned of the change late Monday evening. Aderemi pointed out that the father of the deceased was present and had filed his statement, indicating the late notice disrupted the planned hearing.
All counsel representing involved parties acknowledged receipt of the Attorney General’s letters confirming the meeting’s change. Abiodun Layanu (SAN), counsel for Atlantis Hospital, confirmed receiving two letters from the AG’s office, while Prof. Taiwo Osiptan (SAN), representing Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, also noted receipt of both communications.
In response to the situation, Magistrate Adetunji questioned the AG’s office about their correspondence with the parties without notifying the court. She expressed dissatisfaction and adjourned the proceedings until further directives from the Chief Coroner.
“I find it very appalling that the Attorney General of Lagos State would take such steps without informing the court,” Adetunji stated. “The court is not under the Ministry of Justice, and the AG does not have the authority to direct the court.”
In a statement following the hearing, Attorney General Pedro denied any influence over the suspension of the proceedings. He emphasized that the Ministry of Justice neither directed nor requested the Coroner to halt proceedings and that such decisions are strictly within the court’s purview.
Pedro explained the purpose of the proposed meeting was to foster cooperation among counsel and stakeholders, aiming to facilitate a more expedient inquest process. He pointed out that recent cases, including the prolonged coroner’s inquest surrounding the death of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, highlighted the need for improved procedural efficiency.
The inquest into the death of Master Nkanu, which began on February 25, 2026, was ordered by Chief Coroner Justice Dada following a request from the Ministry of Justice and other interested parties. The child passed away on January 6, 2026, under suspicious circumstances at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital after being referred from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for urgent medical attention.
