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A coroner’s court in Lagos State has postponed the inquest into the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the son of renowned author Chimamanda Adichie, after the involved parties did not file or exchange their witness statements as previously ordered.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji halted proceedings on Tuesday at the JIC Taylor Courthouse in Igbosere. The session had been scheduled for Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital to begin presenting its case by calling witnesses. However, the hearing could not proceed because none of the parties complied with the court’s earlier directive issued following an agreement on February 25, 2026 to frontload witness statements.

Expressing her dissatisfaction, the coroner noted that the non-compliance had stalled the process and prevented the court from hearing evidence as planned.

“This matter was slated for evidence, but none of the parties has complied with the directive of this court to file and exchange witnesses’ statements on oath,” Adetunji said.

Euracare’s lead counsel, Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), appearing for the first time in the case, informed the court that there was no clear order specifying which party should file its statements first.

“My Lord, there was no specific order as to who should file first,” he submitted.

He also indicated that the hospital planned to file an application for a postmortem examination to establish the cause of death, along with an order requiring the deceased’s parents — Dr Ivara Esege and Chimamanda Adichie-Esege to release the child’s medical records.

“We intend to bring an application for a postmortem examination and for the release of the deceased’s medical records, in the interest of fair hearing, before the hospital opens its case,” he added.

The coroner rejected the request, pointing out that the issue of an autopsy had already been addressed in an earlier sitting. The court had ruled that the inquest could continue without one.

“The issue of a postmortem has been considered by this court, and the law permits this inquest to proceed without the same,” the magistrate stated.

She further noted that Euracare’s counsel had access to the records of previous proceedings and could obtain additional information through proper legal channels, such as subpoenas, without causing further delays.

“The counsel has access to the records of proceedings and may apply for any further information by way of subpoena or other lawful means without stalling this process,” she said.

The coroner emphasized that the proceedings must move forward without unnecessary delays, describing the inquest as inquisitorial rather than adversarial.

“This court will not allow the proceedings to be stalled. The inquest is inquisitorial and not adversarial, and it is aimed at ascertaining the truth, helping the family heal, and preventing a recurrence,” she held.

Counsel for the Esege family, Prof Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), and the lawyer for Atlantis Paediatric Hospital, Mr Adeniyi Kazeem (SAN), assured the court that their witness statements were ready and would be filed without delay.

Counsel for the Lagos State Government, Adebola Araba, stated that the need for expert witnesses would depend on the evidence presented during the inquest.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 5, May 20, and June 3, 2026, for further hearing.

Nkanu Adichie-Esege was admitted to Euracare Hospital on January 6, 2026, after being referred from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital for urgent medical care.

He died in the early hours of January 7, 2026. Following the incident, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria established a prima facie case of medical negligence against three doctors: Dr Tosin Majekodunmi, Medical Director of Euracare, Dr Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist at the hospital and Dr Atinuke Uwajeh, Chief Medical Director of Atlantis Paediatric Hospital.

Coroner Adjourns Inquest into Death Of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry, has pointed out the club’s weakness ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg tie with Sporting CP on Wednesday night

Henry feels Arsenal don’t have an answer for how to step out from pressure in a 4-2-4 set-up formation against the Gunners.

He warned that if Sporting copied the tactical approach Bournemouth recently used, Arsenal could find themselves in serious trouble.

But Arsenal’s weekend form was a major concern after they lost 2-1 to Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry explained: “If you’re Sporting, and you look at how Manchester City pressed Arsenal, and then how Bournemouth did it at the weekend with that early 4-2-4 pressure—Arsenal had no answer for how to escape it.

“I don’t know what Sporting are going to do, but yes, it is very important for Arsenal to win the game and make sure they can prepare for the game (Man City vs Arsenal) we are all waiting for.”

UCL: They don’t have an answer – Thierry Henry exposes Arsenal’s weakness

American actress, Jada Pinkett, has explained why she publicly admitted to her past relationship with August Alsina during her marriage to Will Smith. Speaking while promoting her memoir, I am, You are, We are, Worthy!, Jada said her decision to go public was partly to protect Will Smith’s ego and shield their family from further […]

Plateau State House of Assembly, in conjunction with key stakeholders in the state, has initiated measures to protect the inheritance rights of women and girls in the state.

During a public hearing held at the Assembly complex in Jos on Tuesday, April 14, participants drawn from the government, judiciary, security agencies, female advocacy groups, traditional institutions, and civil society organizations, threw their weight behind a proposed law seeking to protect the rights of women and girls to inherit lands and properties from parents as against the normal practice where only male children have the right of inheritance.

Participants at the meeting described the proposed bill as timely, transformative, and critical to ending decades of gender-based discrimination.

The public hearing, which was organized by the Assembly, highlighted the bill aimed at regulating and protecting the rights of women and girls to inherit properties, benefits, and privileges from deceased husbands and parents.

While addressing the audience, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary Matters, Hon. Kalamu Idris Gyang, and Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Sylvester Wallangko, agreed that submission by stakeholders in support of the bill, along with recommendations for strengthening its provisions showed a positive response to the proposal.

Hon. Gyang who further emphasized the urgency of the legislation, noted that cultural practices have long deprived women of inheritance rights and the acceptance of the proposed bill has gone in the right direction.

“This bill is for the people of Plateau State. We are very determined to make sure that this bill sees the light of day,” Gyang said.

“Women contribute significantly to family wealth and development, yet traditions deprive them of inheritance. This law will correct that imbalance and promote societal growth,” he added.

On his part, Hon. Wallangko described the bill as a solution to long-standing societal issues that had caused bad blood in families across the state.

“This particular bill will solve a lot of issues that have bedevilled our society; by the time it is enacted, it will be binding on all of us,” Wallangko noted.

Also speaking, Special Adviser on Social Welfare to the Governor, Esther Simi Dusu, described the bill as a pathway to emancipation and empowerment of women.

“This bill is a form of emancipation. It will enable women to access opportunities and express their God-given potential.

“This is one of the best laws we have ever seen. It will address imbalances and injustice and is already aligned with national policy on women’s property ownership.

“The proposed law which has been widely supported across different sectors, is expected to mark a significant turning point in addressing gender inequality in inheritance practices and strengthening social justice in Plateau State,” she added.

Plateau Assembly, stakeholders move to protect female inheritance rights

Interior design has evolved significantly over the years, with greater emphasis placed on personalization and visual storytelling. Today, walls are no longer treated as empty backdrops but as essential elements of design that can influence the mood and character of a space.

Among the many décor solutions available,
canvas prints have become a preferred choice for individuals seeking both style and substance.
Canvas prints offer a perfect blend of artistic expression and practicality. They allow homeowners and designers to showcase images in a way that feels both elegant and contemporary, making them suitable
for a wide range of interiors.

What Makes Canvas Prints Unique
Canvas prints stand out due to their distinctive texture and presentation. Unlike traditional paper prints, canvas adds a subtle depth to images, giving them a more refined and artistic appearance. The fabric surface absorbs ink differently, resulting in softer tones and a more natural look.

Another defining feature is their frameless design. Most canvas prints are stretched over wooden frames with the image extending around the edges. This creates a clean, modern aesthetic that works well in both
minimalistic and elaborate settings.
Read more: https://www.wallpics.com/

Advantages of Canvas Prints
Canvas prints offer numerous benefits that contribute to their growing popularity. One of the most significant advantages is their durability. High-quality materials and inks ensure that the artwork remains vibrant for years without fading or deteriorating.

They are also lightweight and easy to install, making them a practical option for both permanent and temporary displays. Additionally, canvas prints are generally more affordable than traditional framed artwork, allowing individuals to decorate their spaces without overspending.
Another key benefit is their versatility. Canvas prints can feature anything from personal photographs to digital art, making them adaptable to various tastes and preferences.

Popular Styles of Canvas Prints
There are several styles of canvas prints that cater to different design needs. Single-panel prints are simple and elegant, making them ideal for smaller spaces or minimalist interiors. Multi-panel prints, also known as split canvases, create a dramatic effect by dividing one image across multiple panels.

Wallpics brings you a Canvas Print for Modern living

Liverpool boss, Arne Slot, has tipped Paris Saint-Germain to win the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Speaking at his post-match interview after Liverpool lost 2-0 against PSG in the Champions League quarter-final second leg tie at Anfield on Tuesday, Slot said the Parisians have a good chance to win Europe’s top-flight competition again.

Recall that Ousmane Dembele’s brace ensured PSG eliminated Liverpool from the competition on a 4-0 aggregate win, having won the first leg 2-0 in Paris last week.

“We got much more than we deserved last week by only losing 2-0. What was also the same as last season was getting much less than we deserved at home,” Slot told Prime Video.

“We should have won. It’s also the quality of PSG that they don’t concede from the chances we had, and the finishing of Ousmane Dembele probably tells you why he won the (2025) Ballon d’Or and why Paris (PSG) won the Champions League last season and have a good chance to win it again.”

The outcome of the encounter means Liverpool will finish this season trophyless because they are out of the Premier League title race and also the FA Cup.

UCL: They’ve good chance – Liverpool manager Arne Slot names team to win trophy

The Ogun State Council for Islamic Affairs (OGCIA) has rejected the proposed plan to return public schools to missionaries, describing the move as a “misplaced priority” and a gross disrespect to the Muslim community. Recall that Governor Dapo Abiodun said that mission schools would be returned to their original owners while receiving in audience Catholic […]

A Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, says there are some unseen hands doing everything possible to disrupt opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Utomi made this statement on Tuesday during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television.

The Deputy Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Manifesto and Policy Committee, also stated that in all political parties, there will be the good, bad and ugly.

He added that they are willing tools that can be used by outside forces.

Utomi, who called for urgent efforts to save the country, warned that attitudes of some politicians were eroding public confidence.

“There are some unseen hands trying to disrupt the Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

“The consistent outcome of this longitudinal data is that African people want democracy, but the people getting into power in Africa are preventing democracy from really taking place, and the people are losing hope in democracy. We must save our country from that,” he urged.

Some unseen hands trying to disrupt opposition – Pat Utomi

A US-based humanitarian worker, Alex Barbir, has denied allegations that his activities and public statements have fueled violence in Nigeria, insisting that his advocacy is focused on protecting vulnerable communities and supporting reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected areas.

Barbir made the remarks during an interview on TVC News, where he addressed concerns about his influence in Plateau and Benue states, as well as broader accusations surrounding his presence in the country.

Born on August 17, 1997, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Barbir grew up in Cumming alongside his brother, Josh, a physician and US Army Reserve officer. His upbringing, he noted, was shaped by discipline and sports, a background he says informs his humanitarian approach.

His work in Nigeria is closely linked to two organisations, his initiative, Building Zion, and Equipping the Persecuted (ETP), a US-based NGO led by filmmaker Judd Saul. Through these platforms, Barbir has participated in rebuilding communities affected by violence, particularly in Benue State, including the construction of homes, schools, and places of worship.

Responding to claims that his rhetoric may have incited violence, Barbir firmly rejected the accusations, maintaining that he has never encouraged attacks or reprisals.

“I have never once called for anybody to be murdered. I have called for people to be protected,” he said.

He argued that his consistent message has been for authorities to improve security while allowing individuals to defend themselves when under threat.

Barbir also dismissed reports connecting his visit to Plateau State with a reprisal attack that left two people dead, stating that the killings occurred before he arrived.

“They had killed two people before I arrived. So it’s a false narrative to say my presence caused that,” he said.

He described the violence in the region as longstanding, noting that cycles of attack and retaliation predate his involvement.

While acknowledging criticism of his stance, Barbir defended calls for self-protection in areas facing persistent insecurity, arguing that such a position is both reasonable and necessary.

“If the government is failing to protect you, you should protect yourselves from people who would take your life. There’s nothing wrong with that,” he stated.

He stressed that violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims, and said his advocacy does not exclude any group.

Barbir also rejected allegations that he is advancing foreign interests or political agendas, challenging critics to provide evidence. He said his funding comes from charitable donations, churches, and organisations that support humanitarian causes.

Despite the controversy, Barbir confirmed plans to return to Nigeria to continue reconstruction projects, particularly in Benue and Plateau states, maintaining that his mission is rooted in peacebuilding and support for communities affected by violence.

If government is failing to protect you, defend yourself – Alex Barbir insists

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Buba Galadima, has said the party must rely on resilience and courage to challenge the current administration, stating that even a dead man can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Speaking at the party’s 8th National Convention in Abuja, Galadima accused the ruling All […]