Renowned Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have formally demanded that Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos release comprehensive medical documentation and preserve all relevant evidence connected to the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
The request was conveyed through a legal letter dated January 10, 2026, issued by the prominent law firm Pinheiro LP and signed by its Founding Partner, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN). The letter gave the hospital a seven-day deadline to comply.
In the four-page correspondence, the lawyers accused the hospital of “prima facie breaches of the duty of care” in its handling of the child during medical procedures carried out between January 6 and January 7, 2026. Nkanu, who was born on March 25, 2024, passed away on January 7, 2026, while undergoing treatment at the facility.
Addressed to the hospital’s Medical Director, Tosin Majekodunmi, the letter explained that the child had been referred from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for multiple procedures, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, PICC line insertion, and lumbar puncture.
These procedures were part of preparations for his transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where a specialist medical team was reportedly standing by.
According to the lawyers, the child was sedated with propofol at Euracare. However, complications allegedly arose during his transfer following the MRI, ultimately leading to his death.
The legal team raised grave concerns regarding the standard of care provided by the hospital. They stated, “A preliminary evaluation of the facts, viewed against established standards of paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care, raises serious and substantive concerns,” noting that twelve specific issues had been identified.
These concerns reportedly touched on the suitability of propofol for the procedure, the dosage administered, airway protection during sedation, the alleged lack of oxygen during transfer, absence of adequate monitoring, and a failure to adhere to recognised paediatric anaesthesia and patient safety standards.
The letter asserted that “The foregoing matters disclose prima facie breaches of the duty of care owed to the deceased child,” and held the hospital, the attending anaesthesiologist, and all medical personnel involved responsible for medical negligence that allegedly resulted in the child’s death.
The lawyers demanded that Euracare release certified copies of all documents connected to the child’s treatment within seven days. These include admission and consent records, medication charts, monitoring and procedural notes, intensive care documentation, incident reports, and full details of all medical staff involved in the child’s care.
In addition, the hospital was formally instructed to preserve every piece of evidence relevant to the case, whether physical, electronic, or digital. This includes CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy logs, and any internal reports or reviews connected to the incident.
The letter warned that any destruction, alteration, or tampering with evidence after receipt of the notice would be treated as obstruction of justice and could attract serious legal consequences.
It further stated that failure to comply within the stipulated seven-day period would lead to further legal, regulatory, and judicial action against the hospital and all personnel involved. “Non-compliance within the 7-day window would trigger ‘all available legal, regulatory, and judicial remedies against your hospital and all medical personnel involved, including yourself,” the lawyers said, stressing that the notice was issued “without prejudice to our clients’ rights, claims, and remedies, all of which are hereby expressly reserved.”
As of the time of reporting, Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital has not issued any public response to the letter.
What you should know
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of Africa’s most globally recognised literary figures, known for works such as Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah.
Medical negligence cases in Nigeria often hinge on whether healthcare providers adhered to established standards of care, especially in paediatric and anaesthetic procedures. The demand for evidence preservation is a critical legal step, ensuring that records and digital data are not altered before potential court proceedings.
This case could draw significant public and legal scrutiny due to the high profile of the parties involved and the sensitive nature of child healthcare.
