Justice for Nkanu: Adichie Family Issues Seven-Day Ultimatum to Lagos Hospital

Renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have served a formal legal notice to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos following the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu. The legal demand, issued on January 10, 2026, gives the facility exactly seven days to release all medical records and preserve digital and physical evidence. The child tragically passed away on January 7 while undergoing preparatory procedures for a planned medical evacuation to the United States.

Solicitors for the family, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), have accused the hospital and its staff of “prima facie breaches of the duty of care” during the child’s treatment. The legal notice outlines twelve specific areas of concern, including the choice and dosage of the sedative propofol for a toddler of that age. The family further alleges that the child was moved between clinical areas without adequate oxygen or continuous physiological monitoring, leading to a fatal deterioration.

The legal team has specifically warned the hospital against any destruction or tampering with evidence, including CCTV footage and electronic monitoring data. They maintain that the hospital, the anesthesiologist, and all attending personnel may be held liable for medical negligence. “These matters disclose prima facie breaches of the duty of care owed to the deceased child,” the lawyers stated, emphasizing that the hospital must account for every action taken during the procedure.

In a public response on Saturday, Euracare expressed its deepest sympathies but claimed that certain reports of the incident contained inaccuracies. The hospital stated that the patient was already critically ill upon arrival and that its team provided care in line with “internationally accepted medical standards.” However, the Lagos State Government has since intervened, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordering an independent investigation through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency.

Adding to the tension, Dr. Anthea Esege-Nwandu, a medical expert and the child’s aunt, has publicly challenged the hospital’s defense. She argued that international protocols for sedated children on oxygen were clearly ignored during the transfer between wards. “International standards demand that a child on oxygen who is given sedation must have continuous oxygen therapy. Did Euracare do this? No!” she asserted, supporting the family’s claims of negligence.

As the seven-day ultimatum ticks down, the hospital management has reportedly suspended the doctor involved in the procedure as a preliminary measure. The Nigerian Medical Association and other regulatory bodies have also launched probes to determine the immediate and underlying causes of the toddler’s death. The Adichie-Esege family has made it clear that they will pursue every available legal and judicial remedy if their demands for transparency are not met.

The case has now become a focal point for medical accountability in Nigeria, sparking a wider conversation about patient safety in private healthcare. With the government’s investigation underway, the public awaits a more detailed response from the hospital regarding the specific lapses alleged in the legal notice. The family remains resolute in their quest for “answers, accountability, and justice” for their son, Nkanu.