The controversy surrounding the death of Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and physician Dr. Ivara Esege, has escalated after the child’s family issued a detailed rebuttal of a statement released by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos.
The development comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed the suspension of the anaesthesiologist involved while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death in the early hours of January 7, 2026.
In a legal notice dated January 10, solicitors representing Adichie and Esege alleged that Euracare, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical personnel breached the duty of care owed to the child.
The notice was issued by PINHEIRO LP and signed by the firm’s founding partner, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
Family Disputes Euracare’s Claims
In a separate press release, the child’s aunt, Dr Anthea Esege Nwandu, sharply disputed Euracare’s public account of the incident, describing it as containing “inconsistencies and falsehoods.”
Euracare had stated on January 10 that there were inaccuracies in the family’s version of events. Dr. Nwandu, a dual board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 30 years of clinical experience in Nigeria and the United States, questioned that claim.
“In their press statement, Euracare claims there are inaccuracies in the account of how my nephew passed. Which inaccuracies exactly?” she said.
Dr. Nwandu challenged the hospital’s assertion that the child had been treated at two paediatric centres before arriving at Euracare.
“This is false. He was in one hospital before coming to Euracare for the procedures,” she said.
She also rejected Euracare’s claim that care was delivered “in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards,” alleging multiple departures from standard practice.
Alleged Lapses in Monitoring and Care
According to Dr. Nwandu, the child—who was reportedly on oxygen—was sedated without continuous oxygen delivery or monitoring of blood oxygen levels, which she said violated international standards of care.
“International standards demand that a child on oxygen who is given sedation must have continuous oxygen therapy. Did Euracare do this? No,” she said, adding that hospital staff allegedly confirmed this verbally.
She further alleged that the child’s pulse, respiration, and oxygen saturation were not continuously monitored, and that he was transferred within the hospital without resuscitative equipment.
Dr. Nwandu also raised concerns about documentation.
“Since there was no monitoring, is it possible to accurately document when the child stopped breathing or how long he was pulseless before resuscitation? No,” she said.
She criticised what she described as the anaesthesiologist’s handling of the child following sedation, alleging that he was carried on the doctor’s shoulder without visual monitoring or attached equipment, including during transport to the intensive care unit, when the child’s oxygen was allegedly disconnected.
Dr. Nwandu stated that her nephew had been medically stable before the incident and was scheduled for a medical evacuation flight to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Investigations Ongoing
The Lagos State Government has confirmed that the anaesthesiologist involved has been suspended pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. Euracare has said it is reviewing the matter.
Authorities say further findings will be made public as inquiries continue.
