Solicitors representing Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, have formally written to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, over the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, as investigations continue into the incident.
The development comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed that the anaesthesiologist involved in the child’s treatment has been suspended by the hospital pending the outcome of ongoing probes.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, the parents, through their lawyers at PINHEIRO LP, accused the hospital, its anaesthesiologist and other medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son, who died in the early hours of January 7, 2026. The notice was signed by the firm’s founding partner, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
According to the letter, the child was referred to Euracare on January 6 from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for diagnostic and preparatory procedures, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, insertion of a PICC line and a lumbar puncture, ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States.
The solicitors stated that the child was sedated with propofol, but allegedly developed sudden complications while being transferred to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI.
They claimed that the transfer and post-sedation care raised serious concerns about adherence to standard patient safety and paediatric anaesthesia protocols.
The letter alleged lapses including inappropriate dosing of propofol, inadequate airway protection, lack of continuous monitoring, absence of supplemental oxygen during transfers, insufficient medical escort, delayed response to distress, and poor availability of resuscitation equipment.
The parents also faulted the hospital for allegedly failing to fully disclose the risks associated with the sedative drugs, thereby undermining informed consent.
The lawyers said these issues amounted to medical negligence and demanded 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 relevant evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, drug records, emergency equipment logs and internal communications, warning of legal consequences if any evidence is altered or destroyed.
They added that failure to comply would leave the family with no option but to pursue all legal and regulatory remedies.
Meanwhile, Euracare Hospital said it had commenced a detailed internal investigation in line with its clinical governance standards and pledged full cooperation with regulatory authorities.
Confirming government action, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said the state had launched an investigation and that the hospital had suspended the anaesthesiologist involved.
“It’s an active investigation. The hospital is cooperating, and the doctor involved has been suspended. We are following due process and will engage experts as required,” Ogunyemi said.
She noted that the matter had attracted public attention because of the profile of the family involved, but stressed that the state follows the same investigative procedure for all reported cases.
In a separate development, the family doctor and the child’s aunt, Dr Anthea Nwandu, criticised Euracare’s public statement on the incident, disputing claims that the child had been treated at two hospitals prior to arriving at Euracare.
In a statement on Sunday, Nwandu, a dual board-certified physician with decades of experience in Nigeria and the United States, alleged that basic international standards for sedated paediatric patients were not followed.
She claimed there was no continuous oxygen therapy, no continuous monitoring of vital signs, and no appropriate resuscitation equipment during transfers within the hospital.
She further alleged improper handling of the child during transfers and said the lack of monitoring made it impossible to determine when the child deteriorated or how long resuscitation was delayed.
Nwandu maintained that the child was medically stable and already scheduled for evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States before the incident occurred.
The case has sparked widespread public outrage after Adichie accused Euracare of negligence on social media.
She alleged that her son was given an excessive dose of propofol, was not properly monitored, and subsequently suffered seizures and cardiac arrest before his death.
Investigations by both the hospital and Lagos State authorities are ongoing.
- Video: TikToker Jarvis prays for client ‘weh mumu like Peller’ - January 12, 2026
- Calling Wizkid ‘new Fela’ is disrespectful — Seun Kuti - January 12, 2026
- Police arrest son for orchestrating father’s murder in Niger - January 12, 2026
