Medical Panel Suspends Three Doctors Over Alleged Negligence in Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel has suspended three senior doctors, including the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, after establishing a prima facie case of medical negligence in the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

Nkanu, the son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, died on January 7, 2026, following medical care at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital and subsequent procedures carried out at Euracare in Lagos.

The panel invoked its order of suspension against Euracare’s Medical Director, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare; and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh. The trio have been barred from medical practice in Nigeria pending the determination of their case by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

In a statement signed by the panel’s Secretary, Dr. Enejo Abdu, the body disclosed that it also found a prima facie case of professional misconduct against 10 other doctors involved in the child’s management, while eight doctors were cleared after a review of complaints, counter-affidavits and oral depositions made under oath. The panel concluded its investigation at its 25th session held in Abuja on February 17 and 18, 2026.

According to documents reviewed during the proceedings, the child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness. As arrangements were being made for an emergency transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic and preparatory procedures. These reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter, and intravenous sedation using propofol.

The parents alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI and subsequently passed away.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by the law firm led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son during the procedures ahead of the planned emergency evacuation, where a specialist team in the United States was reportedly on standby.

The suspension of the three principal doctors represents an interim regulatory action and does not amount to a final determination of liability. The matter will now proceed before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, which is empowered to impose sanctions ranging from formal reprimand to withdrawal of practising licences.

The case has attracted widespread public attention given the profile of the child’s parents and has intensified scrutiny of clinical standards, emergency care procedures and regulatory oversight within Nigeria’s private healthcare sector. Further proceedings before the tribunal are expected in the coming weeks.