Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have urged the Lagos State High Court to dismiss a legal action filed by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to stop the coroner’s inquest into the death of their son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

Their lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, made the request on Monday before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikoyi, describing the hospital’s suit as premature.

Pinheiro argued that the coroner had not yet reached any decision that could be challenged or set aside by the High Court.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo subsequently reserved October 12, 2026, to rule on Eurapharma Care Services’ application seeking to halt the inquest proceedings.

Eurapharma, the operator of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, is asking the court to issue an order of certiorari quashing decisions allegedly made in relation to the inquest.

The company is also seeking an order of prohibition to prevent Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, the coroner handling the proceedings, from continuing with the inquest.

The application centres on two key questions: whether the hospital and its staff should be required to call evidence before the deceased’s family presents its case, and whether the inquest can continue following the cremation of Nkanu’s remains.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, also asked the court to reject the hospital’s application.

Pedro maintained that the coroner has the legal authority to proceed with an inquest even when a deceased person’s body has been destroyed or is no longer available.

He cited Section 21 of the Lagos State Coroners System Law, which he said permits a coroner to conduct an inquest despite the destruction or unavailability of the deceased’s remains.

The Attorney-General further submitted that Eurapharma’s judicial review application was premature because the coroner had not taken any evidence or testimony when the suit was instituted.

Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos, where he was receiving medical treatment.