The investigation panel of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended the medical director of Euracare and two other doctors in connection with the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, passed away on 7 January 2026 after complications arose during a series of preparatory medical procedures.
Following the incident, Adichie issued a legal notice to the hospital, alleging that medical negligence and professional misconduct played a role in her son’s death. An investigative panel was subsequently set up to examine the matter.
After reviewing the case, the panel found a prima facie case of medical negligence against Euracare and Atlantis Hospital in their handling of Nkanu’s treatment.
Consequently, Tunde Majekodunmi, Euracare’s medical director; Titus Ogundare, the anaesthesiologist; and Atinuke Uwajeg, the chief medical officer of Atlantis Hospital, have been suspended.
The three practitioners have been prohibited from practising medicine in Nigeria pending the outcome of proceedings before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Enejo Abdu, secretary of the panel, further disclosed that adequate evidence of professional misconduct was established against 10 additional doctors affiliated with Atlantis Hospital.
Those named include Adeseye Akinsete, Chidinma Ohagwu, Anthony Ajeh, Amarachi Bayo, Nkechi Peji, Olaoye Oludare, Agaja Oyinkansola, Patricia Akintan, Babatunde Bamgboye and Raji Faidat.
Eight other doctors were exonerated after the panel assessed complaints against all 21 practitioners, alongside their written submissions and sworn oral testimonies.
However, the panel emphasised that its conclusions are preliminary and do not constitute a final judgement, as the affected doctors will undergo a full hearing before the tribunal, which will issue a definitive ruling.
The inquiry wrapped up during the panel’s 25th sitting in Abuja on 17 and 18 February.
A coroner’s inquest into the matter is scheduled to commence on 14 April.