Fresh Twist As Court Fixes Hearing In Adichie’s Son Tragic Case

The adjournment was announced on Tuesday by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, who is overseeing the proceedings initiated by the Lagos State Judiciary.

The session took place at the JIC Taylor Courthouse in Igbosere, although earlier hearings were conducted at the Magistrates’ Court in Yaba.

At the previous sitting on February 25, the court had directed Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital to begin its defence by presenting witnesses. It also ordered all parties to file and exchange sworn witness statements ahead of the April 14 hearing.

The agreed sequence for presenting evidence was for Euracare to proceed first, followed by the deceased’s family and then Atlantis Paediatric Hospital.

However, the hearing could not proceed on Tuesday after the court found that none of the parties had complied with the directive to file and exchange their witness statements.

Appearing for the first time as lead counsel for Euracare, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) told the court there was uncertainty about which party was to file first.

He also disclosed that Euracare plans to file an application seeking a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death, and requested access to the deceased’s medical records from his parents, Dr. Ivara Esege and Chimamanda Adichie-Esege.

Osipitan argued that these steps were necessary to ensure a fair hearing before the hospital proceeds with its defence.

In response, Magistrate Adetunji noted that the issue of conducting an autopsy had already been addressed in earlier proceedings. She referenced arguments by counsel to the Esege family, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), who relied on Section 21(1) of the Coroner Systems Law, which allows an inquest to proceed without a post-mortem.

She stated that the court had already accepted this position and advised that any additional documents could be obtained through lawful means without delaying the process.

The magistrate urged all parties to comply with court directives and cooperate fully, stressing that coroner inquests are meant to uncover the facts surrounding a death rather than function as adversarial proceedings.

She added that the process is aimed at providing closure for the bereaved family and preventing similar incidents in the future.

Counsel for the Esege family and Atlantis Paediatric Hospital, Adeniyi Kazeem (SAN), informed the court that their witness statements were ready for filing, while counsel to the Lagos State Government, Adebola Araba, said expert witnesses might be called depending on the evidence presented.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 5, May 20, and June 3 for continuation of hearing.

Master Nkanu was admitted to Euracare Hospital on January 6, 2026, after being referred from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital for urgent care, but died in the early hours of January 7.

Following investigations, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria found a prima facie case of medical negligence against three doctors: Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi, Medical Director of Euracare; Dr. Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist; and Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh, Chief Medical Director of Atlantis Paediatric Hospital.

The council has also issued interim suspension orders against the doctors pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings.