A Coroner’s court sitting at Igbosere, Lagos State, on Tuesday suspended inquest into the death of a 21-month-old son of literary giant, Chimamanda Adichie.
The child, Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of Chimamanda and Dr Ivara Esege, died in January in Lagos.
He was admitted at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, on Jan. 6, following referral from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital.
He died in the early hours of Jan. 7 after medical procedures.
The Coroner, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, said that proceedings in the inquest would be suspended pending directives from the chief coroner of the state.
Adetunji ordered the suspension following a directive from the Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).
She raised concerns over steps taken to initiate a restorative justice meeting without prior notice to the court.
She noted that under the principle of separation of powers, the attorney-general did not have the power to direct court proceedings.
Adetunji said she would refer the development to the chief coroner and await his guidance before giving a new date for proceedings in the inquest.
She expressed dissatisfaction that the Office of Lagos State Attorney-General communicated with parties in the inquest without informing the court.
