A Lagos court will formally examine the circumstances surrounding the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of celebrated Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, with the inquest set to begin on 14 April.
The date was announced during a preliminary session at Yaba Magistrate Court, weeks after the toddler passed away at Euracare Hospital, triggering public concern about healthcare safety in Nigeria.
During the hearing, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji instructed all parties to submit their witness statements ahead of the full inquest.
The court plans to hear testimony from medical specialists and hospital staff to establish the exact sequence of events and factors that led to Nkanu’s death.
Adichie and her family have alleged that the hospital staff failed to provide oxygen and administered excessive sedation, resulting in a cardiac arrest. Euracare, however, expressed condolences but rejected the allegations, insisting that the care given complied with global medical standards.
Court documents from the family’s lawyers reveal that Nkanu was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos with a mild illness that worsened over time.
He was being prepared for treatment in the United States at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Before the transfer, Atlantis Hospital referred him to Euracare for pre-flight procedures, including an MRI scan and a spinal tap, known as a lumbar puncture.
The toddler died on 7 January following these tests. Three days later, Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, through their lawyers, issued a formal notice accusing the hospital of breaching its duty of care. Euracare has denied all allegations of malpractice.
Adichie, 48, is internationally recognized for novels such as Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah. She was born in Nigeria and now lives in the United States. Nkanu was one of twins born in 2024 via surrogacy; her first child, a daughter, was born in 2016.
The case has intensified debate over patient safety in Nigeria and the accountability of private healthcare institutions, with many looking to the upcoming inquest for answers.
