The coroner's investigation into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esigye, son of renowned Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has been thrown into uncertainty after revelations that the baby was cremated, leaving the court with no preliminary forensic evidence to determine the real cause of death.
This development has sparked public debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether cremation is supported by law, while others argue that it creates a significant evidentiary gap, as an autopsy would have been crucial in establishing the exact cause of death.
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Cremation is the practice of disposing of a deceased person's body by burning it, often performed as part of a funeral rites. Although it is not widely practiced in Nigeria, Lagos State has a legal framework that allows cremation.
Under the law, cremation of a deceased child is permitted on the voluntary request of family members, subject to proper medical supervision, documentation and signed consent.
Nkanu Esige, one of Adichie's twins, died on January 7, 2026, following complications arising from a series of initial medical procedures. Adichie later sent a legal notice to the hospital, alleging that medical negligence and professional misconduct led to her son's death.
Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, presiding over the case at the Yaba Magistrates Court, fixed April 14, 2026 for the commencement of the investigation after hearing the presence of lawyers representing the parties.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro appeared on behalf of the family, while Adebola Rahman represented the Lagos State Attorney-General. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe stood in for Atlantis Hospital, which had referred the family to Euracare, while Euracare was also represented separately.
During preliminary proceedings, Adetunji said the investigation was initiated at the request of the Attorney-General, noting that the Lagos State Government, like the family, is affected by the loss.
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“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,” he said.
After the session, the magistrate directed all parties to record and exchange their witness statements before the next hearing, emphasizing that the primary objective of the court is to determine the cause of death.
