The Lagos State High Court has ruled that the inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, son of renowned author Chimamanda Adichie, will proceed despite attempts by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited to halt it. The court's decision was delivered by Justice Aishat Opesanwo on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Ikoyi.

Eurapharma Care Services, which operates the Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, sought to stop the coroner’s inquest, arguing that the cremation of Nkanu's body deprived the coroner of jurisdiction. The hospital also claimed that the order to receive evidence from medical personnel violated its right to a fair hearing. However, Justice Opesanwo dismissed these arguments, emphasizing that the inquest is mandated by law and that the absence of the deceased’s body does not invalidate the coroner’s authority to conduct the inquiry.

Nkanu Esege passed away on January 7, 2026, following medical procedures, prompting the need for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The coroner's inquest aims to establish critical facts, including the cause, time, and location of Nkanu's death.

In her ruling, Justice Opesanwo stated that the law governing coroner’s inquests does not require the deceased's body to be present within the coroner’s district at the time of the hearing. She noted that the focus should be on the circumstances that triggered the inquest rather than the physical location of the body.

The judge further rejected the hospital's assertion that the cremation would make the inquest 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. Justice Opesanwo highlighted that the inquest had not formally commenced, making the hospital's concerns about its outcome premature.

Justice Opesanwo clarified that a coroner’s inquest is fundamentally a fact-finding exercise rather than a trial. "It is not a trial; no one is on trial in a coroner’s court," she stated, explaining that the process is inquisitorial and not adversarial. The purpose of the inquest is to ascertain the facts surrounding a death, not to assign blame or penalize any party involved.

Additionally, the judge addressed the hospital's concerns regarding the order of evidence presentation, stating that the coroner has the discretion to determine the sequence of statements and evidence. She affirmed that differing opinions on the order do not constitute a breach of fair hearing rights.

In conclusion, the court's ruling allows the inquest to move forward, ensuring that the circumstances of Nkanu Esege's death will be thoroughly examined. This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the events leading up to the young man's untimely demise.