The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has adjourned proceedings until April 14, 2026, for the commencement of an inquiry into the de.ath of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege
Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter came up before the court.
Nkanu d!ed on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.
The child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.
While arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line.
However, the child passed away following the procedures.
His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his de.ath.
When the case was called, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) announced his appearance for the family, Adebola Rahman appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of Lagos State. Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, of Health Ethics and Law Consulting, represented Atlantis Hospital, while Euracare was also represented.
In a preliminary meeting with the parties, Magistrate Adetunji stated 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 bereaved.
“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.
She directed all parties to file their witness statements before the next adjourned date and cautioned them to approach the proceedings carefully, stressing that the court’s goal was to determine the cause of the incident.
Adetunji further stated that an autopsy is generally the starting point in every inquest.
“For every inquest, the starting point is that there must be an autopsy done to give us a professional report,” she said.
Pinheiro urged the court to proceed with the hearing, stating that the parents maintain 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, an intensivist, and the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor.
Pinheiro also urged the court to direct Euracare to preserve all physical and electronic evidence from January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews.
He suggested that Euracare should open the hearing, followed by the family and then Atlantis Hospital.
The magistrate agreed that Euracare would proceed first, but ruled that the family would present its case next, followed by Atlantis.
The court adjourned till April 14, 2026, to commence the hearing.
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