A Lagos State High Court has rejected Euracare Hospital’s bid to stop the inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, son of celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie. Justice Aishat Opesanwo struck out the hospital’s application on Monday at the court in Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi. The judge ruled that the coroner could proceed despite the cremation of Nkanu’s body.
Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, following medical procedures. His death prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise. Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, which operates Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, challenged the coroner’s authority to conduct the inquest. The hospital argued that cremation made a post-mortem examination impossible. It also questioned the decision to receive statements and evidence from medical personnel and other parties.
However, Justice Opesanwo explained that the law requires an inquest when specific conditions surrounding a death apply. She said the hospital had failed to disprove the conditions that gave the coroner jurisdiction under Section 15 of the Coroners System Law of Lagos State 2007. The judge also rejected claims that cremation would make the investigation speculative.
“I am not persuaded by the submission made by the applicant’s counsel that the cremation of the body means the inquest and its conclusion will be predicated on speculation and conjecture,” she said.
Furthermore, the judge described a coroner’s inquest as a fact-finding process, not a criminal trial. She explained that the inquiry seeks to establish who died, how the death occurred, when it happened and where it took place.
“It is not a trial; no one is on trial in a coroner’s court,” she said.
Justice Opesanwo also ruled that the coroner could determine the order for receiving evidence. She maintained that this decision did not automatically violate anyone’s right to a fair hearing. The court therefore struck out Euracare’s application, allowing the inquest process to proceed.
