Solicitors representing acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, have formally written to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, alleging medical negligence in connection with the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
The development comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed that the anaesthesiologist involved in the child’s care has been suspended, pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, the lawyers alleged that the hospital and its medical personnel breached their duty of care, leading to the child’s death in the early hours of January 7, 2026. The notice was issued by PINHEIRO LP and signed by its founding partner, Prof Kemi Pinheiro.
According to the letter, the child was referred to Euracare on January 6 from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States. These procedures reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture and insertion of a PICC line.
The solicitors stated that the child was sedated with propofol, but complications allegedly arose while he was being transferred to another clinical unit after the MRI.
“Our clients have serious concerns regarding the manner in which their son was sedated, monitored and transferred while under deep sedation,” the notice stated.
The letter alleged lapses in paediatric anaesthetic care, including inappropriate dosing, poor airway protection, inadequate monitoring and unsafe patient transfer. It further claimed that the child was moved without supplemental oxygen, proper monitoring or sufficient medical support.
The lawyers also accused the hospital of failing to adequately disclose the risks associated with propofol, thereby undermining the requirement for informed consent.
“These acts and omissions amount to prima facie breaches of the duty of care and render the hospital and its personnel liable for medical negligence,” the solicitors said.
As part of their demands, the parents requested certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s treatment within seven days, including anaesthetic charts, drug records, monitoring logs, ICU notes and incident reports.
The hospital was also instructed to preserve all physical and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and internal communications.
The letter warned that failure to comply could result in “legal, regulatory and judicial action.”
Doctor suspended Euracare Hospital earlier said it had launched an internal investigation into the incident, pledging to cooperate fully with regulators.
Confirming government action, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said the state had commenced its own probe and that the doctor involved had been suspended by the hospital.
“It is an active and ongoing investigation,” Ogunyemi said.
“The hospital is cooperating with us, and the anaesthesiologist involved has been suspended. We will be thorough, transparent and guided by established protocols.”
She added that officials of the hospital and relevant medical staff were scheduled for further interviews as investigations continued.
The child’s aunt and family doctor, Dr Anthea Nwandu, criticised the hospital’s account of events, disputing claims that the child had been treated at multiple facilities before arriving at Euracare.
“That is false. He was in one hospital before coming to Euracare for specific procedures,” she said.
Nwandu, a dual board-certified physician, alleged that basic international standards of paediatric sedation were not followed.
“A sedated child on oxygen must have continuous oxygen therapy and monitoring. That did not happen,” she said.
“There was no continuous monitoring of oxygen levels, pulse or respiration, and no resuscitation equipment during transfer.”
She further alleged that the child was carried post-sedation without monitoring and disconnected from oxygen during transfer to the ICU.
Meanwhile, Euracare has maintained that it provided care in line with established clinical protocols and worked with external medical teams recommended by the family, noting that the child was critically ill on arrival.
The case has sparked widespread public reaction, particularly after Adichie accused the hospital of negligence on social media, alleging excessive sedation, lack of monitoring and delayed response that led to seizures, cardiac arrest and her son’s death.
Investigations by the Lagos State Government remain ongoing.
