Panel suspends Euracare MD, two doctors over Chimamanda’s son’s death

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel has suspended the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, alongside two other doctors over medical negligence.

The action followed the panel’s investigation into the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The toddler, one of the twin sons of Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, died on January 7, 2026, following what was described as a brief illness that reportedly escalated from a common cold to a severe infection.

In a public statement issued days after the incident, Adichie alleged that her son’s death was linked to negligence at Euracare Hospital in Lagos, where he had been taken on January 6 for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan and the insertion of a central line.

According to her, the child was sedated with propofol for the procedure but was not adequately monitored afterwards. 

She said this allegedly led to complications, including loss of responsiveness, seizures and eventual cardiac arrest.

“He would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6,” Adichie had stated, sparking widespread public concern and calls for investigation.

Following formal complaints and public outcry, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel was constituted to probe the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

At the conclusion of its 25th session held in Abuja on February 17 and 18, 2026, the panel announced the suspension of Dr. 

Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anaesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare; and the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh.

The trio is barred from practising medicine in Nigeria pending the determination of their cases by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

The panel said it found a prima facie case of professional misconduct against 10 other doctors: Dr. Adeseye Akinsete, Dr. Chidinma Ohagwu, Dr. Anthony Ajeh, Dr. Amarachi Bayo, Dr. Nkechi Peji, Dr. Olaoye Oludare, Dr. Agaja Oyinkansola, Dr. Patricia Akintan, Dr. Babatunde Bamgboye and Dr. Raji Faidat.

Eight other doctors investigated in connection with the case were cleared of any wrongdoing.

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According to the panel, its decisions were reached after reviewing complaints against 21 doctors, examining their counter-affidavits and considering their oral depositions given on oath.

The development marks a significant step in the regulatory process, as the disciplinary tribunal is expected to determine whether the suspended practitioners are guilty of professional misconduct and what sanctions, if any, will follow.

The case has continued to generate national attention, raising renewed concerns about patient safety, standards of care and monitoring protocols during sedation procedures in private health facilities.