Cremation Creates Autopsy Gap in Inquest Into Chimamanda’s Son’s Death
The coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, has been thrown into uncertainty after it emerged that the child was cremated, leaving the court without primary forensic evidence to determine the cause of death.
Nkanu Esege, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7, 2026, following complications during a series of preparatory medical procedures.
Adichie subsequently served the hospital a legal notice, alleging that medical negligence and professional misconduct contributed to her son’s death.
Atinuke Adetunji, the magistrate handling the matter, fixed April 14, 2026, for the commencement of the inquest after hearing the introductions of all legal representatives at the Yaba magistrate court on Wednesday.
Kemi Pinheiro appeared for the family, Adebola Rahman represented the Lagos state attorney-general while Cheluchi Onyemelukwe stood for Atlantis, the hospital that referred the family to Euracare. Euracare also had its own representation.
During the preliminary meeting, Adetunji said the inquest is being conducted at the request of the attorney-general, adding that the Lagos government, like the family, is affected by the loss.
“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
After the preliminary session, the magistrate directed all parties to submit their witness statements ahead of the next hearing, emphasising that the court’s main goal is to determine the cause of death.
Adetunji noted that the inquest will begin with an autopsy.
Chimamanda’s lawyer urged the court to proceed with the case, saying the family intends to present evidence of alleged “gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and wrongful diagnosis”.
He added that five independent medical experts, as well as the child’s father, who is also a doctor, are expected to testify.
He also requested that the hospital preserve all relevant physical and digital records, including CCTV footage, medical data, pharmacy logs, equipment records, and internal reports.
The magistrate ruled that Euracare will present its account first, followed by the Adichie family and then Atlantis.
However, a copy of the findings from the initial court session sighted by TheCable revealed that the proceedings have thrown up critical procedural and evidentiary concerns, particularly the absence of an autopsy report, widely regarded as the starting point in coroner investigations.
“In coroner proceedings, an autopsy is typically the starting point for determining the cause and circumstances of death,” part of the document reads.
“The presiding magistrate herself noted that for every inquest, the starting point is that there must be an autopsy done to give us a professional report.
“However, the family’s lawyer mentioned that the child had been cremated by the family. The Attorney General also mentioned that it will be difficult to determine the cause of death without the body.”
The document shows that the development raised a number of unresolved questions before the court, including whether a full autopsy was conducted prior to cremation and what primary forensic evidence is available to guide the inquiry.
According to the document, the absence of physical remains may force the court to rely heavily on hospital documentation and expert testimony, raising concerns that the inquest could devolve into competing expert opinions without foundational pathological evidence.
The findings further highlighted concerns about the implications for medical and legal standards in future cases.
“If the foundational forensic step is unavailable or limited, the integrity and precedent-setting implications of the inquiry become a matter of public interest, particularly in this case, which the Lagos State Government has described as one of broader societal concern,” it stated.
