Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie has formally called for accountability from a private hospital in Lagos, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct after the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, solicitors representing Adichie and her partner, Dr. Ivara Esege, accused the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical staff of breaching their duty of care.
The child, born on March 25, 2024, was referred to the hospital on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States. The procedures included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter, and a lumbar puncture, with sedation administered using propofol.
The notice reveals that during transfer to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI, the child experienced severe complications. Despite sedation, he was reportedly moved between clinical areas under conditions raising “serious and substantive concerns” regarding patient safety. He was later pronounced dead in the early hours of January 7.
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The notice, issued without prejudice and signed by the law firm led by Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, outlines multiple alleged lapses in pediatric anaesthetic and procedural care. These include concerns over the appropriateness and cumulative dosing of propofol, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, insufficient physiological monitoring, lack of supplemental oxygen during transfer, and inadequate staffing during the movement between clinical areas.
Additional issues cited include delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular complications and failure to comply with standard pediatric anaesthesia and patient transfer protocols.
The parents also allege that the hospital failed to properly disclose the risks and side effects of the anaesthetic agents, compromising informed consent requirements. They have requested certified copies of all medical records related to their son’s care within seven days. This includes admission notes, consent forms, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, monitoring logs, procedural notes, ICU records, incident reports, and details of all medical personnel involved, along with internal reviews, safety logs, and any other relevant documentation.
The hospital has been formally instructed to preserve all evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy and inventory records, crash-cart and emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews.
The notice warns that any destruction or alteration of evidence will be treated as obstruction of justice, with legal consequences. Failure to comply may compel the parents to pursue all available legal, regulatory, and judicial remedies.
