Nigeria’s medical regulatory authorities have now suspended three senior doctors from medical practice following the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the son of celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege.
According to a statement released after its latest sitting, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel (MDPIP) announced that it had invoked its powers of suspension after establishing a prima facie case of medical negligence and professional misconduct against the affected doctors.
Those suspended include the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi; an anesthesiologist at the same hospital, Dr. Titus Ogundare; and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh.
What the medical body is saying
The panel said the trio will remain suspended from medical practice in Nigeria pending the outcome of proceedings before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
- In the statement signed by the panel’s secretary, Enejo Abdu, further disclosed that a prima facie case of professional misconduct was also established against 10 additional doctors.
- Those named include 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 were cleared of wrongdoing.
The panel concluded its investigation during its 25th session held at Excel Hotel & Resort on February 17 and 18, 2026.
Backstory
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by a law firm led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, its anaesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching their duty of care.
- As part of their legal demands, the parents requested certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s treatment within seven days.
- These include admission notes, consent forms, anaesthetic charts, drug administration logs, ICU records, incident reports, and the identities of all medical staff involved.
The hospital was also instructed to preserve all relevant evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal communications.
The letter warned that any destruction or alteration of evidence could amount to obstruction of justice and attract legal consequences.
What you should know
Nkanu Adichie-Esege died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing diagnostic and preparatory medical procedures at Euracare in Lagos. According to the panel, the suspensions followed a review of complaints, counter-affidavits, and sworn oral depositions from 21 doctors involved in the child’s care.
- According to details presented to the panel, the child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a mild illness that later worsened. As arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic and preparatory procedures.
- These procedures reportedly included a brain MRI, echocardiogram, lumbar puncture, and the insertion of a central line, with intravenous sedation administered.
The child reportedly developed sudden complications following the procedures and later died.
