The Coroner’s Court located at the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos has confirmed that the inquest into the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's son will commence on April 14, 2026.
This session follows a preliminary meeting held on Wednesday by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, aimed at establishing the parameters for the inquiry.
The young child passed away on January 7, 2026, after undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.
Prior to his hospitalization at Euracare, the child had been admitted to Atlantis Hospital due to a deteriorating but initially mild condition.
Reports indicated that arrangements were underway to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States for specialized treatment when he was referred to Euracare for necessary pre-flight evaluations.
Documents presented to the court detailed that these evaluations included an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, a lumbar puncture, the insertion of a central venous catheter, along with intravenous sedation using propofol.
Unfortunately, the child succumbed shortly after these medical interventions.
During the hearing, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) represented the family, while Adebola Rahman was present on behalf of the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe represented Atlantis Hospital.
Euracare also had legal representation at the proceedings.
Magistrate Adetunji revealed that an application had been submitted by the Chief Coroner of Lagos at the request of the Attorney-General to conduct an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the child's death.
The magistrate acknowledged the case's significance, stating, "The Lagos State Government is indeed grieving; thus, the Attorney-General deemed it necessary to act, indicating that it affects more than just the family of the deceased."
She instructed all parties involved to submit their witness statements before the next hearing and highlighted that the primary goal of the inquest would be to ascertain the cause and circumstances of the death.
Moreover, she reiterated that autopsy examinations typically serve as the foundation in coroner processes.
"An inquest always begins with the need for an autopsy report to provide a professional analysis," she remarked.
Pinheiro pressed the court to move forward with the formal hearing, asserting that the parents believe their son's death was not natural, occurring during medical intervention.
He noted the family's intention to present evidence of alleged severe medical negligence, encompassing potential overdose, incorrect prescriptions, misadministration of propofol, and wrongful diagnoses.
The family plans to bring forward testimony from five independent medical experts, which includes an anesthesiologist, a pediatric anesthesia specialist, a radiologist, an intensivist, and the child's father, who is also a physician.
Furthermore, Pinheiro urged the court to mandate Euracare to retain all relevant physical and electronic evidence from January 6, 2026, covering CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, logs of emergency equipment, internal correspondence, as well as morbidity and mortality review documents.
The magistrate determined that Euracare would present its case first during the substantive hearing, followed by the family, and subsequently Atlantis Hospital.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by Pinheiro’s law firm, Adichie and her spouse accused Euracare and its anesthesiologist of neglecting the duty of care owed to their son.
The document indicated that the child experienced sudden and grave complications while being relocated to the cardiac catheterization lab after an MRI.
The parents expressed concerns regarding cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child and poor airway management during deep sedation, among other alleged failings by medical staff.
The court is expected to reconvene on April 14, 2026, to commence the substantive inquiry into the toddler's death.
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