Coroner Faces Forensic Gap in Inquest Into Death of Chimamanda Adichie's Son

A Lagos coroner will begin hearing on 14 April 2026 into the death of Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, but the child’s cremation has left the court without key forensic material.

The inquest concerns Nkanu, one of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s twins, who died on 7 January 2026 at 21 months. Court proceedings at the Yaba Magistrate Court focused on how the absence of a body may affect efforts to establish the exact medical cause of death.

The issue has drawn public reaction across Nigeria. Some people asked whether cremation is lawful, while others said the decision could weaken fact-finding because post-mortem examination is normally central in a death inquiry.

Under Lagos State law, cremation is permitted within a regulated process. In the case of a stillborn child, it may be done at the request of family members if there is medical supervision, proper documentation and signed consent. The legal position means cremation is not automatically unlawful, but it can still complicate later evidentiary review in a contested death case.

Adichie has served a legal notice on the hospital, alleging that medical negligence and professional misconduct contributed to her son’s death after complications linked to preparatory medical procedures.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, who is presiding over the matter, said the inquest followed a request by the Lagos State Attorney-General. She said the state is also touched by the loss and has a duty to support a proper inquiry.

"The Lagos State Government is also bereaved, that is why the Attorney-General has taken this step. It is not just the family of the deceased that is affected," she said.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro appeared for the family. Adebola Rahman represented the Lagos State Attorney-General. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe appeared for Atlantis Hospital, which referred the family to Euracare, and Euracare was separately represented.

At the close of the preliminary sitting, the magistrate directed all parties to file and exchange witness statements before the next date. The court said its central task is to determine the cause of death, a process now expected to rely heavily on medical records, testimony and procedural documentation.