Chimamanda Adichie charges Euracare Hospital to Court over son’s death

Renowned author Chimamanda Adichie has served a legal notice on Euracare Hospital in Lagos, accusing the facility of medical negligence and professional misconduct that she says led to the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.

Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, passed away on January 7, 2026, following complications during a series of preparatory medical procedures.

The legal notice, dated January 10, claimed that the attending anaesthesiologist and other medical staff at Euracare failed in their duty of care.

According to the filing, Nkanu was referred to Euracare from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital on January 6 for critical procedures in preparation for an emergency medical evacuation.

The procedures reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), and lumbar puncture, with intravenous sedation administered using propofol.

It added that a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, United States, was on standby to receive him.

The legal document stated that during transport from the MRI suite to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory while under sedation, the child suffered sudden and severe complications, which culminated in his death.

“Our clients inform us that these procedures were required as part of the preparatory process for the child’s transfer and medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, was already on standby to receive him,” the notice reads in part

“It is our further brief that sedation was administered on the child at your facility using propofol. During transport to the cath lab following the MRI procedure under intravenous sedation, the child suffered sudden and severe complications, culminating in his untimely death on the 7th of January, 2026.”

Adichie’s legal representatives outlined multiple alleged lapses in care. They claim the child was moved between clinical areas without adherence to critical patient-safety protocols. Specific concerns raised include potential propofol dosing issues, inadequate airway protection, a lack of continuous monitoring, and movement without supplemental oxygen, proper equipment, or sufficient medical personnel in attendance.

The notice to Euracare Hospital demands the provision, within seven days, of certified copies of all related medical records. The request includes admission notes, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, monitoring logs, procedural notes, ICU records, and the identities of all involved staff.

The hospital was instructed to preserve all evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal communications.

The notice also warned that failure to comply or any destruction of evidence would lead to legal action and all available judicial remedies.

The Lagos government has also ordered an investigation into the allegations.

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