The Lagos coroner has suspended proceedings in the ongoing inquiry into the death of the 21-month-old son of author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, pending fresh directives from the state’s chief coroner.
At the JIC Taylor Courthouse on Tuesday in Lagos Island, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji announced the suspension while citing the need to await instructions from Justice Mojisola Dada, the Chief Coroner of Lagos State.
Before the adjournment, the magistrate expressed displeasure over what she described as procedural interference after the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Lawal Pedro, was said to have halted the day’s proceedings.
When the case was called, counsel Adebola Araba, representing the Attorney General’s office, told the court he had been instructed to request an adjournment.
“I have been directed to inform the court that a meeting between the AG of Lagos State and all counsel appearing in this matter has been fixed for May 12, 2026.
“We urge the court to suspend the hearing of today and fix another hearing after the meeting with the AG,” Araba said.
Counsel to the deceased child’s parents, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Aderemi, acknowledged receipt of official correspondence dated April 23, 2026, indicating an earlier meeting scheduled for the same day at 2 p.m.
He, however, faulted the sudden change in schedule, arguing it disrupted proceedings.
“I confirm that a letter, dated April 23, 2026, signed by one Olamide Ibrahim from the AG’s office, was served on us.
However, the meeting was fixed for today by 2 pm; however, it was last night that it was changed to May 12, 2026, and we believed that the hearing would go on today, after which we would thereafter go for the meeting by 2 pm, especially as the parents are not going to be around because they are leaving by Friday.”
The court also questioned why it was not formally informed of the changes. In response, Araba said he was unaware of the earlier correspondence and only conveyed instructions given to him.
Other legal representatives confirmed receiving multiple letters from the Attorney General’s office.
Counsel to Atlantis Paediatric Hospital, Abiodun Layanu (SAN), said two separate letters dated April 23 and May 4, 2026 were received, while also affirming compliance with court directives.
Similarly, Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), representing Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital and Nigeria, confirmed receipt of the same communications and noted that the meeting had been rescheduled to May 12, 2026.
Despite this, Aderemi further criticised the situation, saying it undermined the day’s hearing.
“The letter has just truncated the hearing of today. The interest of the parents of the deceased is not being carried along.
”If the AG is sincere, he should be up and doing. If there is restorative justice, he should have called the meeting before now.
“The father of the deceased is in court today and has sworn to a statement on oath. I thought the court would have heard it today.”
After hearing from all parties, Magistrate Adetunji ruled that the inquest would be suspended pending further guidance from the chief coroner.
The inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Esege began on February 25, 2026, amid allegations surrounding possible medical negligence.
The toddler had initially been treated at Atlantis Paediatric Hospital in Lagos after falling ill.
He was later referred to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital for advanced diagnostic procedures, including an MRI scan, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line, as preparations were underway for medical transfer abroad to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States.
Tragically, the child died shortly after the procedures at Euracare Hospital in the early hours of January 7.
