Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has instituted legal action against Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, over alleged medical negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Esege.
The allegation has prompted Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to order an official probe into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, intensifying public scrutiny of standards in Nigeria’s private healthcare sector.
Legal Notice
The development is contained in a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, and subsequent public statements by the family. The incident reportedly occurred barely a day after the child was referred to Euracare for diagnostic procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States.
In the legal notice issued by solicitors led by Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Adichie and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, alleged that Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel breached their duty of care.
According to the notice, the child was administered intravenous sedation using propofol for an MRI procedure. The parents alleged that while being transported under deep sedation from the MRI suite to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, the child developed sudden and severe complications.
They claimed the transfer was carried out under conditions that raised “serious and substantive concerns” about compliance with established patient-safety protocols. Specifically, the child was allegedly moved without supplemental oxygen, without continuous physiological monitoring, and without adequate accompanying medical personnel.
The notice further alleged excessive or cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection, delayed recognition of respiratory or cardiovascular distress, and the absence of basic resuscitation equipment. The parents also accused the hospital of failing to fully disclose the risks associated with the use of propofol, thereby undermining informed consent.
As part of their demands, Adichie and Esege requested certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s treatment within seven days. The requested documents include admission notes, consent forms, anaesthetic charts, drug administration logs, intensive care records, incident reports, and the identities of all medical staff involved in the case.
The hospital was also directed to preserve all relevant evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal communications. The legal notice warned that any destruction, alteration, or tampering with evidence could constitute obstruction of justice and attract legal sanctions.