Chimamanda Adichie’s Lawyers Petition Lagos Hospital Over Son’s Death

Solicitors representing celebrated Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, have petitioned Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, over the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, alleging medical negligence in his care.

The development comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed that the anaesthesiologist involved in the child’s treatment has been suspended, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations into the incident.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, the lawyers, acting on behalf of Adichie and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, accused the hospital and its medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son. The notice was issued by PINHEIRO LP and signed by its founding partner, Prof Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).

According to the notice, the child was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States. The procedures included a brain MRI, echocardiogram, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter, and a lumbar puncture.

The lawyers stated that intravenous sedation was administered using propofol. However, during transfer to another clinical unit after the MRI, the child reportedly developed sudden complications. He was later pronounced dead in the early hours of January 7, 2026.

The notice outlined several alleged lapses in paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care, including concerns over the dosing of propofol, lack of continuous physiological monitoring, inadequate airway protection, and failure to comply with standard patient-transfer protocols.

It further alleged that the child was moved without supplemental oxygen, proper monitoring, or adequate medical support, while also raising concerns about delayed emergency response and the availability of resuscitation equipment.

The parents also accused the hospital of failing to adequately disclose the risks associated with propofol and other anaesthetic agents, thereby undermining the requirement for informed consent.

As part of their demands, the lawyers requested certified copies of all medical records relating to the child’s treatment within seven days. They also placed the hospital on notice to preserve all physical and electronic evidence connected to the case, warning that any tampering could attract legal consequences.

In a statement, Euracare Hospital said it had commenced a detailed internal investigation and was cooperating fully with regulatory authorities.

Confirming the state government’s intervention, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said the hospital had suspended the anaesthesiologist involved and that investigations by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency were ongoing.

“This is an active investigation, and the hospital is cooperating. Appropriate steps will be taken in line with due process,” Ogunyemi said.

The case has generated widespread public interest following Adichie’s public allegations of negligence, with renewed calls for accountability and stricter enforcement of patient-safety standards in Nigeria’s private healthcare sector.

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