Award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of attempting to conceal circumstances surrounding her son’s death.
The allegation was contained in a public letter addressed to the hospital’s board chairman and published on her Facebook page.
Adichie said she decided to speak publicly because remaining silent would amount to enabling wrongdoing.
The writer’s 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege, died on January 7 following a medical procedure.
In her letter, Adichie detailed events surrounding the child’s treatment and subsequent death.
She alleged that Euracare’s Medical Director, Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi, initially acknowledged shortcomings in the medical care provided.
According to her, the medical director admitted that the anaesthesiologist involved failed to meet the required standard of care.
Adichie further claimed that an excessive dose of propofol was administered during the procedure.
She alleged that Majekodunmi accepted responsibility and promised disciplinary action against the doctor involved.
According to her, communication from the hospital’s management later ceased unexpectedly.
The controversy intensified after disciplinary action by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The council suspended Dr. Titus Ogundare, Dr. Majekodunmi and Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh pending further proceedings.
Adichie also challenged the cause of death listed on her son’s death certificate.
She alleged that bacterial and fungal meningitis were wrongly recorded as the cause of death.
According to her, there was no medical basis for such a conclusion.
She maintained that her son was conscious and responsive before sedation for an MRI procedure.
Adichie argued that his condition deteriorated only after the administration of the sedative.
She insisted that the death certificate should accurately reflect the sequence of medical events.
The author further alleged that a person linked to the hospital’s ownership attempted to discourage legal action.
She described the communication as manipulative and implicitly threatening.
Adichie stated that her family would continue pursuing justice despite any pressure.
She also accused the hospital of frustrating efforts to establish the facts through the coroner’s inquest.
According to her, attempts to obtain her son’s medical records were met with resistance.
The hospital allegedly declined a formal request from the family’s lawyers for access to the records.
Adichie described the refusal as obstructive and inconsistent with a commitment to transparency.
The matter has since moved before the courts following legal challenges initiated by the hospital.
A Lagos State High Court granted Euracare leave to challenge the Coroner’s Court’s jurisdiction.
The court also ordered a stay of proceedings pending determination of the judicial review application.
Following the ruling, the coroner adjourned further proceedings until October 8, 2026.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and the Chief Coroner have reportedly opposed the hospital’s application.
They argued that the suit is premature, incompetent and an abuse of court process.
As of the time of reporting, Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital had not publicly responded to the allegations.
The allegations remain claims made by Adichie and have not yet been determined by the courts.
The case continues to attract widespread public attention as legal proceedings unfold.
