The Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended three senior doctors over alleged medical negligence linked to the death of Nkanu Esege, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie.
At its 25th session held February 17–18 in Abuja, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigations Panel (MDPIP) ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against Tunde Majekodunmi, medical director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist at the facility, and Atinuke Uwajeh, chief medical officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital.
The development comes shortly after a date was fixed for the commencement of a coroner’s inquest into the matter.
In a statement signed by its secretary, Enejo Abdu, the panel ordered that the doctors be suspended from medical practice in Nigeria pending the outcome of the case.
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Nkanu Esege died on January 7, 2026, following complications during a series of preparatory medical procedures.
Adichie subsequently served the hospital with a legal notice, alleging that medical negligence and professional misconduct contributed to her son’s death.
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The author said the complications followed sedation for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line. She alleged that her son was administered an excessive dose of propofol, was inadequately monitored, and subsequently suffered cardiac arrest.
The matter is also before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, which has fixed April 14 for the commencement of the coroner’s inquest.
At the last hearing, the court directed parties to file witness statements and indicated that an autopsy report would be critical in determining the cause of death.
