The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel has suspended the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, and two other doctors after establishing a prima facie case of medical negligence in the management of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, according to Channels news report.
Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos .
Apart from Majekodunmi, the panel also suspended the anesthesiologist at Euracare, Dr. Titus Ogundare, as well as the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh . The trio are suspended from medical practice in Nigeria pending the determination of their case by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal .
In a statement signed by the panel’s Secretary, Dr. Enejo Abdu, the panel also determined that there is a prima facie case of misconduct against 10 other doctors . They are 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 any wrongdoing .
The panel reached these decisions after considering the complaint against all 21 doctors and reviewing their counter-affidavits, including oral depositions on oath . The investigation concluded at the panel’s 25th session held in Abuja on February 17 and 18, 2026 .
The 21-month-old child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness . While arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line .
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by the law firm led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son . The parents alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI, and that intravenous sedation using propofol was administered .
An inquest into the death will formally begin on April 14, 2026, at the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos, where the coroner will seek to establish the circumstances and cause of Nkanu’s death .
