The Coroner’s Court sitting at the JIC Taylor Courthouse, Igbosere, Lagos Island, on Tuesday suspended further hearing in the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji suspended the proceedings pending further directives from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Justice Mojisola Dada.
The decision followed an application by counsel from the Lagos State Attorney-General’s office, Adebola Araba, who informed the court that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, had directed that Tuesday’s proceedings be suspended until after a meeting with all parties in the matter.
Araba told the court that a meeting between the Attorney-General and all counsel appearing in the inquest had been fixed for May 12, 2026.
“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,” he said.
However, Magistrate Adetunji faulted the directive, stressing that the court was independent of the Ministry of Justice and could not be directed by the Attorney-General on how to conduct proceedings.
“I find it very appalling that the Attorney-General would take such steps without informing the court. The AG does not have the power, under the principle of separation of powers, to direct the court,” she ruled.
Counsel to the deceased’s parents, Adeyinka Aderemi, SAN, told the court that he had earlier received a letter dated April 23, 2026, signed by Olamide Ibrahim from the Attorney-General’s office, fixing the meeting for 2pm on Tuesday.
According to him, parties were only informed late on Monday that the meeting had been rescheduled to May 12, 2026.
He said the parents had expected the court to proceed with the hearing before attending the meeting, particularly as they were due to leave Lagos by Friday.
“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 2pm; 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 2pm, especially as the parents are not going to be around because they are leaving by Friday,” Aderemi said.
He also complained that the Attorney-General’s letter had effectively disrupted the day’s proceedings and that the interest of the deceased’s parents was not being properly carried along.
“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,” he said.
Aderemi further informed the court that the father of the deceased was present and ready to testify.
“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,” he added.
Counsel for Atlantis Paediatric Hospital, Abiodun Layanu, SAN, confirmed receiving two letters from the Attorney-General’s office, one dated April 23 and another dated May 4, 2026, but said the parties would abide by the court’s directive.
Similarly, counsel for Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, confirmed receiving the letters and noted that the meeting had been rescheduled to May 12, 2026.
After hearing from the parties, Magistrate Adetunji suspended further proceedings in the inquest pending directives from the Chief Coroner.
The inquest, which began on February 25, 2026, is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Master Nkanu.
The child was initially admitted to Atlantis Paediatric Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.
He was later referred to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital on January 6, 2026, for urgent pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture and insertion of a central line, while arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States.
He reportedly died in the early hours of January 7, 2026, following the procedures.
The suspension of the inquest has now shifted attention to the proposed meeting with the Lagos Attorney-General on May 12 and the expected directive of the Chief Coroner on the continuation of proceedings.
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
