Legal representatives of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have formally written to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi. This development comes amid confirmation by the Lagos State Government that the anaesthesiologist involved in the child’s care has been suspended while investigations continue.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, the lawyers, acting on behalf of Adichie and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, alleged that the hospital and its medical personnel breached their duty of care, resulting in the child’s death in the early hours of January 7, 2026. The notice was issued by the law firm 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 to undergo diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States. The procedures included a brain MRI, echocardiogram, lumbar puncture, and the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter.
The lawyers stated that intravenous sedation using propofol was administered. However, during movement between hospital units after the MRI, the child reportedly developed sudden complications. Concerns were raised about the manner in which the child was transferred while under sedation and whether appropriate safety and monitoring protocols were observed.
The notice outlined several alleged failures in paediatric anaesthetic care, including questions about the suitability and dosage of the sedative drug, inadequate airway protection, and lack of continuous monitoring of vital signs. It also alleged that the child was moved without supplemental oxygen, adequate monitoring equipment, or sufficient medical support.
Further allegations included delayed response to signs of respiratory or cardiovascular distress, insufficient emergency preparedness, and failure to comply with accepted paediatric anaesthesia and patient-transfer standards. The parents also claimed that they were not fully informed of the risks associated with the anaesthetic drugs used, raising concerns about informed consent.
Based on these claims, the lawyers asserted that the hospital and the medical staff involved were liable for medical negligence. They demanded certified copies of all medical records related to the child’s treatment within seven days, including consent forms, anaesthetic and monitoring records, nursing notes, incident reports, and details of all personnel involved.
The hospital was also directed to preserve all relevant physical and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage, monitoring data, drug records, emergency equipment logs, and internal communications. The lawyers warned that any tampering with or destruction of evidence would be regarded as obstruction of justice.
Euracare Hospital, in a statement, said it had launched an internal investigation in line with its clinical governance standards and pledged full cooperation with regulatory authorities.
The Lagos State Government also confirmed that it had commenced an independent investigation. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, stated that the hospital had suspended the anaesthesiologist involved and was cooperating fully with the state’s investigative team. She noted that expert reviews would be conducted in line with established health protocols.
Meanwhile, the child’s aunt and family doctor, Dr Anthea Nwandu, criticised the hospital’s account of events. She disputed claims that the child had been treated at multiple facilities before arriving at Euracare, stating that he had only been managed at one hospital prior to the referral.
Dr Nwandu, an experienced physician, alleged that basic international standards of care were not followed. She claimed the child did not receive continuous oxygen therapy or monitoring after sedation and was transferred between hospital units without appropriate monitoring or resuscitation equipment.
She further questioned the method used to move the child, alleging that he was carried without visual monitoring and disconnected from oxygen during transfer to the intensive care unit. According to her, the lack of monitoring made it difficult to determine when the child stopped breathing or how long he was without a pulse before resuscitation efforts began.
The incident has generated widespread public attention after Adichie accused the hospital of negligence, stating that her son’s condition deteriorated rapidly following sedation and inadequate monitoring. Investigations by both the hospital and the Lagos State Government remain ongoing.
