A Lagos State High Court has reserved 12th of October to rule on an application by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to stop a coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo fixed the date Monday after hearing arguments from the hospital, the Lagos State government and Nkanu’s family.
Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, which operates Euracare, is challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, to continue with the inquest after Nkanu’s body was cremated.
The hospital’s lawyer, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also challenged the order in which witnesses are expected to testify.
Osipitan argued that although an inquest is inquisitorial, it was “accusatorial in substance” in this case because allegations of medical negligence had been made against the hospital and its staff.
He said requiring the hospital to call its witnesses first could breach its right to a fair hearing.
On the cremation, Osipitan argued that a post-mortem examination could no longer be carried out, making it difficult to determine the cause of death without speculation.
However, Lagos State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro urged the court to dismiss the application.
He argued that the Coroners System Law allows an inquest to proceed even when a body has been destroyed or is unavailable.
Nkanu’s family lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, also described the hospital’s application as premature.
He said the inquest was a fact-finding process and did not determine criminal guilt.
Nkanu died on 7th January, 2026, at Euracare in Lagos.
His parents have alleged breaches of the duty of care, while the hospital has denied the medical negligence allegations, describing them as inaccurate and unfounded.
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