Chimamanda Adichie and husband oppose hospital suit to halt son's inquest

Author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, have petitioned the Lagos State High Court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited. The hospital is seeking to halt a coroner’s inquest into the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege, who died in January at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Victoria Island.

Represented by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the couple argued that the hospital’s application for judicial review is premature because the coroner has not yet made any substantive findings or decisions capable of being quashed. The hospital has contended that the inquest cannot proceed because the child’s remains were cremated, making a physical examination impossible. However, legal counsel argued that the Lagos State Coroners’ System Law provides for inquests even when a body has been destroyed or cannot be recovered.

Justice A. O. Opesanwo has reserved a ruling on Eurapharma’s application until October 12, 2026. The Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), also urged the court to strike out the suit.