Adichie son death inquest suspended as Lagos coroner halts proceedings over concerns about attorney-general’s вмешtion

A coroner’s court sitting at Igbosere in Lagos State has suspended proceedings in the inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

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Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji ordered the suspension on Tuesday, citing the need to seek guidance from the chief coroner following developments involving the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

The Adichie son death inquest was halted after the court was informed of a planned restorative justice meeting convened by the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro.

Adetunji expressed concern that the initiative was introduced without prior notification to the court, raising questions about procedural propriety and the limits of executive involvement in judicial processes.

Under the principle of separation of powers, the magistrate noted, the attorney-general does not have authority to direct court proceedings.

She said the matter would be referred to the chief coroner for further direction, after which a new date for the inquest would be communicated.

Counsel from the attorney-general’s office, Adebola Araba, had earlier informed the court that a meeting involving all parties was scheduled for May 12, urging that proceedings be paused pending its outcome.

However, counsel to the bereaved family, Adeyinka Aderemi, said the parents had expected the inquest to continue, noting that the rescheduling of the meeting disrupted plans for key testimony.

Legal representatives for the medical facilities involved, including Abiodun Layanu for Atlantis Hospital and Taiwo Osipitan for Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, confirmed receipt of notices regarding the meeting and indicated readiness to comply with the court’s directive.

The child had been admitted to Atlantis Paediatric Hospital before being referred to Euracare for further medical procedures.

He died in the early hours of January 7, 2026, while preparations were underway for transfer to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States for advanced care.

The inquest, which began on February 25, seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding the death, which has drawn public attention due to the prominence of the family.

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The Adichie son death inquest remains on hold pending further direction from the chief coroner, as legal and procedural questions continue to shape the course of proceedings.