Chimamanda Adichie, Husband Ask Court to Dismiss Eurapharma Suit Over Son’s Death Inquest

The family of award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, has asked the Lagos State High Court to dismiss a suit filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited seeking to halt the coroner’s inquest into the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege. The matter came before Justice A.O. Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne, Ikoyi, on Monday, September 28, 2026, with the family arguing that the hospital’s judicial review application was premature.

Through their counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, the parents argued that there was no substantive decision by the coroner for the High Court to quash or prohibit. Pinheiro maintained that the inquest was still at a preliminary stage, with no witness having testified and no substantive finding made by the Coroner. He therefore argued that Eurapharma’s attempt to challenge the proceedings through judicial review was, in effect, seeking to stop a process before the Coroner had reached a decision capable of being reviewed by the High Court.

Eurapharma, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Victoria Island where Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, is asking the court for orders of certiorari and prohibition against the coroner’s proceedings. The hospital is also challenging a directive requiring it to commence its evidence during the inquest. One of its central arguments is that the child’s remains were cremated, making a post-mortem examination impossible and, according to its counsel, raising questions about how the cause and circumstances of death can be established. The hospital has maintained that these circumstances affect the jurisdiction and continuation of the inquest.

Pinheiro, however, relied on provisions of the Lagos State Coroners System Law, particularly Section 21, to argue that an inquest can proceed where a body has been destroyed or cannot be recovered. He also referred to Section 31(1), drawing attention to the words “if any” in the provision concerning the Coroner’s viewing of a body. Counsel representing the Lagos State Attorney-General, the Chief Coroner and the presiding Coroner also urged the High Court to allow the statutory investigation to continue. Lawyers representing Atlantis Paediatric Hospital Limited similarly opposed Eurapharma’s application and argued that concerns over the order of evidence had already been addressed during earlier proceedings.

After hearing arguments from the parties, Justice Opesanwo reserved her ruling until October 12, 2026. Until that decision is delivered, the legal dispute over the continuation of the coroner’s inquest remains before the High Court. The ruling will determine whether Eurapharma’s challenge can proceed and whether the coroner’s investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death can continue despite the issues raised over the cremation of his remains.