The coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, has been thrown into uncertainty following the revelation that the child was cremated, leaving the court without primary forensic evidence to determine the cause of death.
Gatekeepers News reports that Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, after complications linked to a series of preparatory medical procedures. Following the incident, Adichie served Euracare with a legal notice, alleging that medical negligence and professional misconduct contributed to her son’s death.
The inquest was formally scheduled to commence on April 14, 2026, by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji at the Yaba Magistrates’ Court, following preliminary proceedings held on Wednesday. Legal representatives were introduced, with Kemi Pinheiro appearing for the family, Adebola Rahman representing the Lagos State Attorney-General, and Cheluchi Onyemelukwe standing for Atlantis Hospital, which referred the family to Euracare. Euracare was also separately represented.
During the session, Adetunji explained that the inquest was initiated at the request of the Attorney-General, stressing that the Lagos State Government shares in the loss and has a responsibility to ensure clarity and accountability.
After the preliminary hearing, the magistrate directed all parties to submit their witness statements ahead of the next sitting, noting that the central purpose of the inquest is to establish the exact cause of death. She stated that the proceedings would ordinarily begin with an autopsy report.
However, the process suffered a major setback when it emerged that the child had already been cremated, making it impossible to conduct a post-mortem examination. This development, according to court documents sighted by TheCable, raised serious procedural and evidentiary concerns.
“In coroner proceedings, an autopsy is typically the starting point for determining the cause and circumstances of death,” part of the document read, adding that the absence of the body makes it extremely difficult to reach a conclusive finding.
The court noted that the cremation destroyed vital forensic evidence, forcing reliance on hospital records, medical data, expert opinions, and witness testimony. This, legal analysts warned, could reduce the inquest to conflicting expert views without foundational pathological proof.
Adichie’s lawyer urged the court to proceed, stating that the family intends to present evidence of alleged gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and misdiagnosis. He disclosed that five independent medical experts, as well as the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor, are expected to testify.
The lawyer also requested the preservation of all hospital records, including CCTV footage, pharmacy logs, medical data, equipment records, and internal reports.
Court documents further warned that the case raises broader concerns about legal and medical accountability, noting that the absence of core forensic evidence could affect the integrity and precedent-setting value of the inquiry.
“In conclusion, the issue of cremation is substantial, evidence has been destroyed, and without a body, it is difficult for the coroner to determine the cause of death,” the document stated.
The inquest is expected to continue amid heightened public interest and scrutiny, given the legal, medical, and societal implications surrounding the case.
