Adichie Son’s Death: Doctors criticise investigation process, Demand apology -

Three doctors indicted over the death of the son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have criticised the investigative process, alleging they were denied a fair hearing and that the relevant medical ethics rules were wrongly applied.

The doctors, who spoke anonymously to avoid further victimisation, claimed the panel investigating the case had already decided to sanction them before completing its review. They called for the indictment to be withdrawn and demanded a public apology, saying the decision had severely damaged their reputations.

The panel was set up by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and later announced the suspension of three physicians: Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Tunde Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anesthesiologist, Dr Titus Ogundare; and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr Atinuke Uwajeh.

According to the panel, the three doctors are barred from practising medicine in Nigeria until their cases are heard by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

The investigation also found a prima facie case of professional misconduct against 10 other doctors who had contact with the patient, while eight doctors were cleared of wrongdoing.

The panel reached its decisions after reviewing complaints against 21 doctors, examining counter-affidavits, and hearing sworn oral testimony during its 25th session in Abuja on February 17 and 18, 2026.

The case stems from the death of Adichie’s 21-month-old son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege, who died on January 7, 2026, following a brief illness.

Adichie said the child was taken to Euracare Hospital in Lagos for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line after what initially appeared to be a common cold developed into a severe infection.

During the procedure, the child was sedated with propofol but was allegedly not properly monitored afterward. Adichie said complications followed, including loss of responsiveness, seizures, and cardiac arrest.

However, one of the doctors criticised the panel for wrongly citing Rule 49(c) of Nigeria’s Code of Medical Ethics, arguing that the rule had been misinterpreted.

Rule 49 governs private practice by consultants employed full-time in public hospitals. The doctor said the rule was incorrectly applied in his case because the child was not his private patient and he had only been invited to provide an expert opinion on a Saturday, outside his official working hours.

He also questioned why the rule was applied to practitioners who were not public servants.

The doctor further alleged that the investigation was procedurally unfair, claiming the complainant did not attend the hearing but her lawyer was allowed to cross-examine the doctors, while they were not given the chance to question the complainant or her representatives.

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Another doctor said he was surprised to be listed among those with a case to answer, insisting that his involvement with the patient was minimal.

He also alleged that the panel conducted the proceedings aggressively and treated the doctors as though they were already guilty.

A third doctor accused the panel of bias and claimed that the physician who performed the lumbar puncture on the child — a procedure she said preceded the cardiac arrest — was not among those indicted.

According to her, the panel appeared determined to show that action was being taken rather than identify those actually responsible.

When contacted for comment, the panel’s secretary, Enejo Abdu, declined to respond, saying he was not authorised to speak to the media.