A Lagos coroner’s court has suspended proceedings in the inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege following a legal standoff with the Lagos State Attorney General’s office. The presiding coroner, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, announced the halt at the JIC Taylor Courthouse, stating that further action would depend on directives from the Chief Coroner, Justice Mojisola Dada.
The suspension was triggered by a request from the Attorney General’s office, conveyed by counsel Adebola Araba, asking the court to pause proceedings pending a scheduled meeting with all parties on May 12, 2026. The request, however, sparked immediate objections due to its last-minute nature and lack of formal communication with the court.
Lawyers representing parties in the case, particularly counsel to the deceased child’s parents, Adeyinka Aderemi (SAN), criticized the development, noting that earlier communication indicated the meeting would hold after the day’s hearing. They argued that the sudden change disrupted preparations and failed to consider the parents’ circumstances.
The coroner also questioned why the Attorney General’s office communicated directly with counsel without formally notifying the court. Other lawyers confirmed receiving multiple and conflicting letters regarding the meeting schedule, further complicating proceedings, though they agreed to abide by the court’s final decision.
The inquest, which began in February 2026, is investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death after medical treatment at two Lagos hospitals. With proceedings now paused, uncertainty surrounds the timeline for its continuation, as tensions between the court and the Attorney General’s office add complexity to the high-profile case.
