Chimamanda Adichie Serves Legal Notice to Euracare Hospital Over Son’s Death
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, renowned Nigerian author, has served a legal notice to Euracare Hospital in Lagos, alleging that “medical negligence and professional impropriety” led to the tragic death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
The legal notice, dated January 10, 2026, claims that the toddler died on January 7 following severe complications arising during a series of preparatory medical procedures intended to facilitate his medical evacuation to the United States.
According to the filing, the child had been referred to Euracare from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital on January 6 for critical diagnostic procedures, including an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), and a lumbar puncture.
These steps were prerequisites for his transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where a specialist team was reportedly on standby to receive him.
The legal document details that the child was administered intravenous sedation using propofol. Adichie’s legal representatives allege that the attending anaesthesiologist and other medical personnel breached their duty of care during the process.
Specifically, the notice claims that the child suffered sudden and severe complications while being transported from the MRI suite to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory.
The family’s legal team has raised serious concerns regarding the hospital’s adherence to patient-safety protocols.
Key allegations include potential dosing errors with propofol, inadequate airway protection, lack of continuous monitoring, and the movement of the sedated child without supplemental oxygen or sufficient medical personnel in attendance.
In the notice, Adichie’s lawyers have demanded that Euracare Hospital provide certified copies of all relevant medical records within seven days.
This request covers admission notes, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, procedural notes, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) records, and the identities of all staff involved in the child’s care.
Furthermore, the hospital has been explicitly instructed to preserve all potential evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal communications regarding the incident.
The notice warned that any destruction of evidence or failure to comply would result in immediate legal action.
The Lagos State Government has reportedly ordered an official investigation into the allegations to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
Nkanu was one of Adichie’s twin sons. Since the news of his passing broke, the literary icon has received an outpouring of condolences from prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, all expressing their deep sympathies for her loss.
