Justice for Nkanu: Coroner’s Inquest into the Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son Begins

 

​In a case that has gripped the nation and sparked a heated conversation about the quality of healthcare in Nigeria, the Lagos State Judiciary has officially set a date for the coroner’s inquest into the tragic passing of Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, the 21-month-old son of world-renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. On February 25, 2026, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji of the Yaba Magistrate Court scheduled April 14, 2026, as the commencement date for the formal inquiry. The proceedings aim to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding the child’s death, which the Adichie family alleges was the result of "gross medical negligence" and professional misconduct.

​The Timeline of a Tragedy

​The heartbreaking incident began on January 6, 2026. Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin boys born in 2024, was initially admitted to Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for what seemed to be a severe infection. Seeking the best possible care, Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, arranged for an emergency medical evacuation to a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States.

​However, before the flight, Nkanu was referred to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos for essential diagnostic procedures, including an MRI and the insertion of a central line. It was during these preparatory steps that things went catastrophically wrong. Nkanu was pronounced dead in the early hours of January 7, 2026, leaving a family devastated and a global community of admirers in shock.

​Allegations of Medical Negligence

​The Adichie family, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, has been vocal about the failures they believe led to Nkanu’s death. The legal notice served to the hospital outlines a series of harrowing lapses:

• ​Overdose and Mismanagement: The family alleges that Nkanu was administered an excessive dose of propofol, a powerful sedative, without adequate physiological monitoring.
• ​Protocol Breaches: It is claimed the anaesthesiologist "casually" moved the child between clinical areas without supplemental oxygen or adequate monitoring.
• ​Failure of Informed Consent: The parents allege they were not properly informed of the high risks associated with the procedures performed on a critically ill child.

​"My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital," Adichie stated in an earlier emotional address. The family intends to call five independent medical experts—specialists in radiology, intensive care, and paediatric anaesthesia—to testify during the inquest.

​A Matter of Public Interest

​The Lagos State Government has taken a vested interest in the case, with the Attorney-General requesting the inquest. Magistrate Adetunji emphasized that the state is "also bereaved," noting that the quality of medical care in Lagos affects every citizen. The inquest will begin with the presentation of autopsy findings, which will serve as the foundation for determining if the death was "unnatural" or caused by avoidable medical intervention.

​The court has also ordered Euracare to preserve all physical and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and pharmacy logs from the night of the incident. This level of judicial scrutiny is seen by many as a potential turning point for medical accountability in Nigeria.

​The Global Outcry and Call for Reform

​Beyond the legal battle, this tragedy has shed a harsh light on the "fatal casualness" that often plagues even high-end medical facilities in West Africa. As a public intellectual, Adichie’s decision to pursue justice publicly is being hailed as a courageous move to "normalize" the demand for better healthcare standards. President Bola Tinubu and other world leaders have extended their condolences, acknowledging the profound grief of losing a child.

​As the April 14 date approaches, the eyes of the literary and medical worlds remain fixed on Lagos. The outcome of this inquest could set a significant legal precedent for how medical negligence cases are handled in the country, potentially saving lives in the future by demanding higher stakes for professional misconduct.