A coroner sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos has fixed April 14, 2026, for the commencement of a formal inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday during preliminary proceedings in the matter.

The inquest followed a request by the Attorney-General of Lagos State seeking a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

Acting on the request, the Chief Coroner filed an application before the court, leading to the present proceedings.

At the sitting, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, appeared for the family, while Adebola Rahman represented the Attorney-General of Lagos State.

Cheluchi Onyemelukwe of Health Ethics and Law Consulting appeared for Atlantis Hospital, while another counsel represented Euracare Multispecialist Hospital.

The magistrate explained that the preliminary session was convened to determine procedural steps ahead of the substantive hearing and to confirm whether the inquest would proceed.

She directed all parties to file their witness statements before the adjourned date to enable the court to clearly identify the issues in dispute.

The court noted that the Lagos State Government considers the matter significant, stressing that the state is deeply concerned about the circumstances of the child’s death.

Magistrate Adetunji further observed that an autopsy is typically the starting point in a coroner’s inquest, as it provides a professional medical basis for determining the cause of death.

Once commenced, the inquest is expected to focus on how the child died and whether any actions or omissions contributed to the outcome.

Counsel to the family urged the court to proceed with the hearing, arguing that the child’s death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention.

The family is expected to present evidence alleging gross medical negligence, including possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and wrongful diagnosis.

As part of its case, the family plans to call five independent medical experts, including an anaesthesiologist, a paediatric anaesthesia specialist, a radiologist, and an intensivist.

The child’s father, Dr Esege, who is also a medical doctor, is also listed as a prospective witness.

The family further requested that Euracare Multispecialist Hospital preserve all physical and electronic evidence linked to January 6, 2026, the date of the incident.

The materials sought include CCTV footage, electronic monitoring records, pharmacy documentation, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality review reports.

During discussions on the order of proceedings, it was agreed that Euracare Multispecialist Hospital would present its account first, followed by the family and then Atlantis Hospital.

Counsel for Atlantis Hospital informed the court that the facility would present its own version of events during the substantive hearing.

The Attorney-General’s representative reiterated that the state initiated the inquest after the child’s death became public, underscoring the need for a formal judicial inquiry.

The matter was adjourned to April 14, 2026, when the court will reconvene to begin the substantive hearing.