The coroner’s inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege has generated enormous public attention globally, and understandably so. The involvement of internationally recognised author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, combined with broader conversations about healthcare standards in Nigeria, has placed the proceedings under an unusual level of scrutiny. The Lagos State Government itself has described the matter as one of broader societal concern. Public interest in cases of this nature is natural. When grief intersects with questions of medical care, the desire for clarity and accountability becomes heightened. It is also true that inquests serve an important public function. They are designed not to assign civil or criminal liability, but to establish facts: who died, and b...