Panel Suspends Three Doctors Over Chimamanda Adichie Son's Death

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel has suspended three doctors over the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, one of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s twin sons.

The panel said Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist at the hospital, and Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh, Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, are barred from medical practice in Nigeria pending the decision of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

The case followed public allegations by Adichie after her son’s death on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. In a statement released on Saturday, January 10, she said there was medical negligence in the care provided at Euracare Hospital in Lagos.

According to her account, the child was first treated for what appeared to be a cold before the condition developed into what she described as a severe infection. She said he was then taken for an MRI and central line insertion. During that process, she said he was sedated with propofol and was not adequately monitored, leading to loss of responsiveness, seizures and cardiac arrest.

Adichie said, “He would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th,” as she called attention to events surrounding the procedure.

After the complaint, the investigation panel reviewed filings and testimony from doctors linked to the case. The panel said it examined complaints against 21 practitioners, considered counter-affidavits and heard oral depositions on oath.

Beyond the three suspensions, the panel said there is 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.

It also said eight doctors were cleared.

The panel concluded its review during its 25th session in Abuja on February 17 and 18, 2026. The disciplinary process will now move to the tribunal stage, where final decisions on sanctions and professional liability are expected.

The panel’s findings leave the suspended doctors unable to practise while proceedings continue, and the listed practitioners now face formal scrutiny before the disciplinary tribunal reaches final determinations.