The coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has been plunged into uncertainty following revelations that the child was cremated, leaving the court without vital forensic evidence to establish the cause of death.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, reportedly passed away on January 7, 2026, after suffering complications during a series of preparatory medical procedures. Following the incident, the author served the hospital involved with a legal notice, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct.
At a preliminary hearing held on Wednesday at the Yaba Magistrate Court, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed April 14, 2026, for the commencement of the inquest after listening to submissions from legal representatives.
Kemi Pinheiro appeared for the bereaved family, Adebola Rahman represented the Lagos State Attorney-General, while Cheluchi Onyemelukwe stood for Atlantis Hospital, which referred the family to Euracare. Euracare was also represented by its legal team.
During proceedings, Adetunji stated that the inquest was initiated at the request of the Attorney-General, stressing that the Lagos State Government also shares in the loss.
“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 subsequently ordered all parties to file their witness statements ahead of the next sitting, emphasising that the court’s primary responsibility is to establish the actual cause of death. She added that the inquest would ordinarily begin with an autopsy.
However, the family’s legal counsel urged the court to proceed, stating their intention to present evidence of alleged “gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and wrongful diagnosis.”
He further disclosed that five independent medical experts and the child’s father — who is also a medical doctor — are expected to testify. He also requested that the hospital preserve all relevant physical and digital materials, including CCTV footage, medical records, pharmacy logs, equipment data, and internal reports.
The court ruled that Euracare would present its case first, followed by the Adichie family, and then Atlantis Hospital.
However, documents from the initial court session revealed serious procedural challenges, particularly the absence of an autopsy report — considered the cornerstone of coroner investigations.
“In coroner proceedings, an autopsy is typically the starting point for determining the cause and circumstances of death,” part of the document stated.
“The presiding magistrate herself noted that for every inquest, the starting point is that there must be an autopsy done to give us a professional report.
“However, the family’s lawyer mentioned that the child had been cremated by the family. The Attorney General also mentioned that it will be difficult to determine the cause of death without the body.”
The document further highlighted concerns over whether a post-mortem examination was conducted before cremation and what forensic evidence remains available to guide the court.
“If the foundational forensic step is unavailable or limited, the integrity and precedent-setting implications of the inquiry become a matter of public interest, particularly in this case, which the Lagos State Government has described as one of broader societal concern,” it added.
It concluded, “In conclusion, the issue of cremation is substantial, evidence has been destroyed, and without a body, it is difficult for the coroner to determine the cause of death.”
