LAGOS — Proceedings in the coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege, were on Tuesday suspended at the Igbosere Magistrate Court pending further directives from the Chief Coroner.
The Coroner, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, halted the sitting after counsel from the Lagos State Attorney-General’s office, Adebola Araba, informed the court of a scheduled meeting between the Attorney-General and parties in the matter fixed for May 12, 2026.
In her ruling, Adetunji expressed displeasure over what she described as procedural lapses by the office of the Attorney-General.
“I find it appalling that the Attorney-General would take such steps without informing the court. The court is not under the Ministry of Justice, and the Attorney-General cannot direct the court,” she said, adding that further proceedings would await instructions from the Chief Coroner, Justice Mojisola Dada.
Counsel to the deceased child’s parents, Adeyinka Aderemi, SAN, told the court that parties had earlier received a letter dated April 23 indicating the meeting would coincide with the hearing date, but were only informed of a change late Monday.
“The parents are in court and will not be around after Friday.
Based on the earlier notice, we believed today’s hearing would proceed,” he said.
Other counsel, including Abiodun Layonu, SAN, representing Atlantis Paediatric Hospital, and Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, for Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, confirmed receipt of the revised correspondence and indicated compliance with the court’s decision.
The inquest, which commenced on February 25, 2026, is probing the circumstances surrounding the child’s death on January 7, 2026. The child had been referred from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital for pre-flight medical clearance ahead of a planned overseas transfer but died shortly after.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, has denied allegations that his office influenced the suspension of proceedings.
Pedro insisted that the Ministry of Justice neither directed nor requested the court to halt the inquest, noting that such authority rests solely with the coroner.
He explained that the scheduled meeting with counsel was part of routine stakeholder engagement aimed at improving coordination and efficiency in coroner inquests.
According to him, the initiative is intended to reduce delays in sensitive cases, citing lessons from the prolonged inquest into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba.
Pedro urged the public to disregard suggestions of interference, reaffirming the government’s commitment to due process and judicial independence.
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