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A Lagos Coroner’s Court has suspended the inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege.
Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji halted the proceedings on Tuesday after the Lagos State Attorney-General’s office requested a pause pending a meeting with all involved legal counsel.
Adetunji expressed strong disapproval of the attorney-general’s attempt to direct the court, citing the principle of separation of powers and stating she would wait for further instructions from the chief coroner.
The suspension followed a notification by the attorney general’s office that a meeting originally set for Tuesday had been rescheduled to May 12, 2026.
Counsel for the bereaved parents argued that the delay disregarded his clients’ interests, noting that the child’s father was present in court and ready to testify.
The inquest, which began in February, seeks to investigate the child’s death on January 7, 2026, following medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital after a referral from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital.
In response to the courtroom tension, Attorney-General Lawal Pedro (SAN) denied that his office had ordered the suspension, asserting that the decision rested entirely with the coroner.
He explained that the invitation to counsel was a routine effort to improve the efficiency of inquests and avoid the prolonged delays seen in previous high-profile cases.
Pedro emphasised that the ministry’s goal was to ensure the proceedings were concluded expeditiously and not to interfere with the judicial process.
