The Coroner’s Court at the Yaba Magistrate Court has adjourned the proceedings until April 14, 2026, for the start of an inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege. Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji set the date on Wednesday when the case came up before the court. Nkanu passed away on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. He was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital for a worsening but reportedly mild illness. While preparations 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 the insertion of a central line. Following the procedures at Euracare, the child tragically died. His parents have raised allegations of medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death. During Wednesday’s proceedings, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) appeared for the family, while Adebola Rahman represented the Attorney-General of Lagos State. Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe of Health Ethics and Law Consulting represented Atlantis Hospital, with Euracare also represented in court. Magistrate Adetunji noted that the court had received an application from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, following a request from the Attorney-General, to conduct a formal inquest. She highlighted that the Lagos State Government also considers itself bereaved in the matter. “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 intended to determine whether a formal inquest would proceed. She directed all parties to submit their witness statements ahead of the next hearing and cautioned that the proceedings must be approached carefully, emphasizing that the court’s primary goal is to determine the cause of the incident. Adetunji also noted that an autopsy is usually the starting point in every inquest. The family plans to present evidence alleging gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and misdiagnosis. The family intends to call five independent medical experts, including an anesthesiologist, a pediatric anesthesia specialist, a radiologist, an intensivist, and the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor. Professor Pinheiro urged the court to direct Euracare to preserve all relevant physical and electronic evidence from January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, monitoring data, pharmacy records, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews. The magistrate ruled that Euracare would present its case first, followed by the family, and then Atlantis Hospital.
