The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikoyi has fixed October 12, 2026, to rule on an application by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to stop a coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo fixed the date after hearing arguments on the hospital’s application for judicial review of proceedings connected to the inquest.

Eurapharma Care Services, the operator of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, is seeking orders of certiorari to quash decisions already made in connection with the inquest. It is also asking the court to prohibit the coroner, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, from continuing with the proceedings.

Representing Adichie and Esege, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro urged the court to dismiss the hospital’s suit, describing the application as premature.

Pinheiro argued that the coroner had not yet made any finding that could be challenged or nullified by the High Court.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, also urged the court to dismiss the application. He argued that the coroner had the statutory authority to proceed with an inquest even where the deceased’s body had been destroyed or was unavailable.

Pedro relied on Section 21 of the Lagos State Coroners System Law, which he said permits a coroner to conduct an inquest despite the destruction or unavailability of the deceased’s remains.

The hospital’s application raises questions over the procedure of the ongoing inquest, including whether the hospital and its personnel can be required to begin presenting evidence before the deceased’s family has presented its case.

Another issue concerns whether the coroner can lawfully continue the proceedings following the cremation of Nkanu’s remains.

Pedro also argued that the judicial review application was premature because the coroner had not taken any evidence or testimony when the hospital filed its case.

The court consequently reserved its decision until October 12, when Justice Opesanwo is expected to rule on the application.

Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos, where he had been receiving medical treatment.

The legal proceedings concern whether the coroner’s inquest into his death should continue and the circumstances under which the proceedings can be conducted.