Chimamanda’s son: Court rejects Euracare bid to stop inquest

The Lagos State High Court in Lagos, Nigeria, has dismissed a bid by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital to halt the coroner's inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie. Justice Aishat Opesanwo ruled that the coroner is legally obligated to conduct an inquest and that cremation of the deceased's body does not invalidate the inquiry.

The trial commenced on September 28, 2026, and was adjourned to October 12, 2026, to decide on Euracare's application. The hospital contested the coroner's jurisdiction, arguing that the absence of the body within the district deprived the coroner of authority to hold the inquest. However, Justice Opesanwo held that the coroner was required to proceed with the inquest as it is a statutory fact-finding exercise, not a trial to determine liability.