The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel has suspended the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, along with two other medical practitioners, after establishing a prima facie case of medical negligence in the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
Nkanu, the son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, died on January 7, 2026, following care at Atlantis Hospital and medical procedures at Euracare in Lagos.
In addition to Dr. Majekodunmi, the panel suspended the anesthesiologist at Euracare, Dr. Titus Ogundare, and the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh. The trio are barred from practicing medicine in Nigeria pending the outcome of their case before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
A statement by the panel’s Secretary, Dr. Enejo Abdu, also revealed that a prima facie case of professional misconduct was found against 10 other doctors. These 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 additional doctors were cleared after the panel considered complaints against all 21 practitioners, reviewed their counter-affidavits, and examined oral depositions under oath.
The panel concluded its investigation during its 25th session at Excel Hotel & Resort in Abuja on February 17–18, 2026.
Nkanu had initially been admitted to Atlantis Hospital for a mild but worsening illness. While preparations were underway to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, he was referred to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and central line insertion. The child tragically passed away following these procedures.
His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct. In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by the law firm led by Kemi Pinheiro, Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending personnel of breaching their duty of care.
The notice stated that the child, born on March 25, 2024, was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist team was reportedly on standby. Procedures reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, peripherally inserted central catheter insertion, lumbar puncture, and intravenous sedation using propofol.
The parents allege that Nkanu developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory following the MRI.
