A board-certified internal medicine physician, Dr. Anthea Nwandu, has called for justice to prevail in the ongoing case surrounding the death of Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, the son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, who reportedly died following alleged medical negligence at a Lagos hospital.
Speaking during a television interview on Thursday, Nwandu expressed concern over repeated delays in the coroner’s inquest and urged all parties involved to allow the legal process to proceed without further interruptions.
According to her, the continued postponements have only deepened the pain of the grieving family.
“Our expectation is that the inquest proceeds as scheduled and that justice is ultimately served. We want due process to be followed and for the legal proceedings to continue without unnecessary delays. The repeated adjournments have only made the situation more painful for the family,” she said.
Nwandu noted that the matter, which was initially expected to move forward months ago, has now been delayed several times, with the latest adjournment pushing the hearing to October.
“We were informed that the case has been adjourned until October. Proceedings that were expected to begin in April and continue through May and June have faced repeated setbacks. We simply want justice to be served and the legal process to be allowed to run its course,” she added.
The physician further described the emotional toll the prolonged proceedings have taken on the bereaved family, saying they continue to struggle with the devastating loss.
“As one would expect, the family remains deeply affected. Losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and the public nature of the case has only intensified their grief. They are not coping well with the situation,” Nwandu said.
She acknowledged that no legal outcome could reverse the loss but stressed the importance of uncovering the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
“Nothing can bring Nkanu back, but it is important for the family to get answers, understand what happened, and ensure that justice is done. The prolonged legal process is not helping and continues to cause immense pain,” she stated.
Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, aged 21 months, died on January 7, 2026, at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.
A coroner’s inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death commenced on February 25, 2026. However, in May, the hearing was suspended pending further directives from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Justice Mojisola Dada.
The case, which resumed consideration at the JIC Taylor Courthouse on Lagos Island, was on Wednesday further adjourned until October 8, 2026, prolonging the wait for answers and closure for the family.
Justice Must Be Served in Adichie Son’s Death Case, Physician Insists
