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Justice Aisat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court has been urged to dismiss a suit filed by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to halt the coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old baby, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
The child’s parents, Chimamanda Adichie and Ivara Esege, made the application through their counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN on Monday.
Describing the suit as premature, Pinheiro argued that it lacked any solid basis since the coroner had not made any finding that could be subject to review by the high court.
The senior lawyer further said no witness had testified or evidence been formally tendered as the coroner’s proceedings were still at the preliminary stage.
Recall that Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare after falling ill with a fever while the family was in Lagos for the holidays.
A coroner sitting in the Igbosere Magisterial District in Yaba commenced proceedings to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death in February.
During the proceedings, it emerged that Nkanu’s remains had been cremated, raising questions about the availability of the body for forensic examination.
The development was followed by Euracare’s decision to approach the Lagos State High Court, seeking a judicial review of the coroner’s assumption of jurisdiction and the manner in which the inquest was initiated and conducted.
The hospital’s suit particularly challenged the coroner’s jurisdiction in circumstances where the child’s body had been cremated before the commencement of the inquest.
In June, the High Court ordered a temporary halt to the inquest pending the determination of the judicial review proceedings.
Following the order, the coroner adjourned the proceedings until October.
At Monday’s proceedings at the high court, Pinheiro cited Section 21 of the Lagos State Coroners’ System Law, arguing that the law permits an inquest to proceed even where a body has been destroyed or cannot be recovered.
He averred that the absence of Nkanu’s remains did not, in itself, deprive the coroner of jurisdiction to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
Similarly, the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro SAN, also urged the court to dismiss the hospital’s suit.
However, Euracare’s counsel, Taiwo Osipitan SAN argued that the hospital should not be forced to present its evidence first when the complainant had not presented its case.
Justice Opesanwo reserved ruling on the matter until October 12, 2026.
