MDCN Panel Suspends Three Doctors Over Role in Chimamanda’s Son’s Death
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.
Nkanu, the son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.
In addition to Majekodunmi, the panel suspended Dr. Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist at Euracare, and Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh, Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Paediatric Hospital. The trio is barred 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 body disclosed that it also found a prima facie case of professional 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.
The panel cleared eight other doctors after reviewing complaints against 21 practitioners, considering their counter-affidavits, and taking oral depositions on oath. Its findings were concluded at its 25th session held at Excel Hotel & Resort, Abuja, on February 17 and 18, 2026.
The child had initially been admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening, though 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 echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter. Intravenous sedation using propofol was administered.
The child died following the procedures.
His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death. In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by a law firm led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, its anaesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son.
They alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after undergoing the MRI.
