Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie has initiated legal proceedings against a private hospital in Lagos following the tragic death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi. In a formal legal notice issued on January 10, 2026, Adichie and her partner, Dr. Ivara Esege, accuse the hospital and its medical staff of negligence, leading to their son’s untimely death.
The child, Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, passed away on January 7, 2026, after undergoing a series of medical procedures. According to the notice, Nkanu had been referred to the hospital on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for diagnostic tests and pre-surgical preparation before being transferred to the United States for further treatment. The procedures included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter, and a lumbar puncture, with sedation administered through propofol.
However, the notice alleges that during the transfer to the cardiac catheterisation lab, the child experienced sudden, severe complications despite being under sedation. The document raises concerns about the safety protocols followed during his transport between hospital areas, as well as the overall handling of his medical care. Nkanu was reportedly moved without supplemental oxygen or adequate monitoring, and the absence of sufficient medical personnel and resuscitation equipment further exacerbated the situation. The child was later pronounced dead on January 7.
The legal notice, signed by the law firm of Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, accuses the hospital of several lapses, including improper use of propofol, inadequate airway protection, and failure to provide continuous monitoring of the child’s vital signs. It also mentions a failure to ensure proper safety during patient transfer and neglecting to disclose the potential risks of sedation.
In addition to demanding accountability, Adichie and Esege are requesting certified copies of all medical records related to their son’s treatment, including consent forms, pre-procedure assessments, anaesthetic charts, monitoring logs, and incident reports. The parents have given the hospital seven days to comply with their request, warning that any destruction or alteration of evidence would be treated as obstruction of justice.
The solicitors also emphasized that failure to comply with the demands would lead to further legal action, including pursuing remedies through regulatory and judicial channels.
The case has drawn significant attention, and local authorities have already ordered an investigation into the allegations of medical negligence.
