April 14 Set for Coroner’s Probe into Death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-Month-Old Son

The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos has fixed April 14, 2026, to commence an inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji adjourned the matter to the said date when it came up on Wednesday, noting that the court would begin hearing evidence from all parties involved.

The child died on January 7, 2026, after receiving treatment at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. He was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.

The court heard that plans were underway to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States for further care. However, he was referred to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture and insertion of a central line. He reportedly passed away following the procedures.

His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death.

At the 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 appeared for Atlantis Hospital, while Euracare was also represented.

Magistrate Adetunji disclosed 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 into the circumstances surrounding the death.

She stated that the Lagos State Government considers itself affected by the incident and explained that the preliminary session was convened to determine whether a formal inquest would proceed.

The magistrate directed all parties to file their witness statements before the next adjourned date and emphasised that the purpose of the inquest is to determine the cause of death. She added that an autopsy is generally the starting point in such proceedings, as it provides a professional medical report to guide the court.

Pinheiro urged the court to proceed with the hearing, maintaining that the parents believe their son’s death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention.

He said the family intends to 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 experts, including an anaesthesiologist, a paediatric anaesthesia specialist, a radiologist, an intensivist and the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor.

He 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.

While suggesting that Euracare should open its case at the inquest, Pinheiro proposed that the family present its case next, followed by Atlantis Hospital. The magistrate ruled that Euracare would proceed first, after which the family and then Atlantis would present their cases.

Counsel to Atlantis Hospital informed the court that the hospital would present its account of events and noted that she only became aware of the proceedings after receiving a letter a day earlier.

The Attorney-General’s representative told the court that following reports of the child’s death, the state government applied for an inquest and urged the court to commence hearing since all parties were present.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, the parents accused Euracare, its anaesthesiologist and other attending personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son.

The notice alleged that complications arose after intravenous sedation with propofol and during the child’s transfer to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory following an MRI.

It cited concerns over cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring, transfer without supplemental oxygen or adequate monitoring, insufficient accompanying medical personnel, alleged unavailability of basic resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular distress, and non-compliance with established paediatric anaesthesia and patient-transfer safety standards.

The matter was adjourned until April 14, 2026, for the commencement of the inquest.