Chimamanda Adichie Serves Euracare Hospital Legal Notice Over Son’s Death

Renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has served Euracare Hospital, Lagos, with a legal notice over the death of her 21-month-old son, Master Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct.

The legal notice, dated January 10, 2026, was issued by solicitors acting for Adichie and her partner, Dr. Ivara Esege, and accused the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and other medical personnel of breaching their duty of care, leading to the child’s death in the early hours of January 7, 2026.

According to the notice, the child was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Paediatric Hospital for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation to the United States. The procedures reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, PICC line insertion, and lumbar puncture, during which intravenous sedation with propofol was administered.

The parents alleged that the child developed severe complications during transfer between clinical units after the MRI, raising serious concerns about adherence to patient-safety and paediatric anaesthesia protocols. He was later pronounced dead.

They further alleged inappropriate dosing of propofol, inadequate airway protection, lack of continuous monitoring, unsafe patient transfer without oxygen or sufficient medical personnel, delayed emergency response, and failure to obtain proper informed consent.

As part of their demands, the parents requested certified copies of all medical records related to their son’s care within seven days and placed the hospital on notice to preserve all relevant physical and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage and internal reports.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered a probe into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death following public concern over the incident.

The solicitors warned that failure to comply with the notice would compel the parents to pursue all available legal and regulatory remedies against the hospital and medical staff involved.