Justice A.O. Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court granted an order staying all proceedings before the Coroner’s Court pending the determination of a judicial review application challenging the legality of the inquest.
The application was filed by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Hospital, where the child reportedly died on January 7, 2026.
The hospital argues that the coroner lacks jurisdiction because the child’s body was allegedly cremated before the inquest commenced. The hospital also challenged a directive requiring it to present its defence and call witnesses first, despite facing allegations of medical negligence from the child’s parents.
The court ruled that these concerns deserved proper judicial consideration, Nkanu Adichie-Esege died after undergoing medical procedures linked to an emergency transfer process for specialist treatment abroad.
His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with the circumstances surrounding his death.
The coroner’s inquiry was launched to establish the cause and circumstances of the child’s death. Lawyers representing the family had indicated plans to present expert medical testimony and evidence relating to the treatment received.
Justice Opesanwo held that the application raised substantial issues of procedure and fairness, the leave granted by the court automatically operates as a stay, meaning the inquest cannot continue until the substantive case is decided.
The applicant has been directed to file its substantive judicial review application within 14 days, as the matter has been adjourned to June 9, 2026, while all parties await the court’s next decision.
