Ivara Esege, the husband of award-winning author Chimamanda Adichie, has declared that the family will not relent in their quest to uncover the true cause of their 21-month-old son Nkanu Adichie-Esege’s death, accusing Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos of obstructing justice. In an opinion piece published in The Guardian newspaper on Friday and shared on his wife’s Instagram page on Sunday, Esege, a medical doctor, alleged that the hospital is using its wealth and power to block a public judicial process because it has something to hide.
Family’s Determination for Justice
Esege emphasized that the fight to establish the cause of his son’s death is not just for his family but for all Nigerians. “We are waiting and hoping that Euracare will not be able to use its wealth and power to stop an inquest. If this is allowed to happen, it will be a mockery and abuse of the entire judicial system,” he wrote. He added, “I can only imagine how many other Nigerian families must have suffered a similar fate in silence because they did not have the resources to counter adversarial actions from a powerful hospital. This is not just about us but about making sure that things are done properly for everyone. Healthcare delivery in Nigeria will not improve otherwise. I never want to see another parent lose their child in such a careless way, from something completely preventable if proper procedure is followed.”
Timeline of Events Leading to Nkanu’s Death
According to PREMIUM TIMES, Nkanu died on 7 January at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos. Esege revealed that his son arrived at the hospital conscious, interactive, and with stable vital signs. Nkanu was referred to Euracare for diagnostic procedures, including an MRI scan, PICC line insertion, and a lumbar puncture. He was scheduled to be transferred the following day to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States for treatment. “Less than 24 hours after arriving at Euracare, he was dead. It is putting it mildly to call the loss of Nkanu devastating,” Esege stated.
The family was in a state of shock, compounded by recent burials. “Most recently, I buried my younger brother, Andrew. I could not bear another burial, especially of my own son. I should not be burying my son; it is my son who should bury me,” Esege said. The family decided to cremate Nkanu and take him with them as they were scheduled to leave Nigeria. Esege asked the Euracare Chief Medical Director for a recommendation for cremation services, leading them to Ebony Funeral Home, where the cremation was carried out.
Initial Trust and Subsequent Betrayal
Esege noted that his family initially trusted Euracare because his parents-in-law had attended the hospital for regular check-ups many years earlier. However, they were unaware that ownership and management of the hospital had since changed hands, with Ilwosan Investments Limited now owning it. “We wanted to understand the full picture of what happened to our son. We asked Euracare for Nkanu’s complete medical records and incident reports, which they refused to provide, and this was our first indication of animosity from Euracare. Euracare promised to conduct a full investigation, but they never did,” he said.
Inquest Proceedings and Delays
In a letter dated 28 January 2026, addressed to the Chief Coroner of Lagos, the family requested an inquest into their son’s death. An inquest is a public judicial process to determine all facts surrounding a death, especially when it is unusual. The coroner informed the family that Euracare Hospital had already requested an inquest, and a preliminary meeting had been held. In its application, the hospital described Nkanu’s death as unexpected and one that would require an inquest. The first sitting was scheduled for 25 February, which Esege attended via Zoom from the US. During the meeting, it was noted that the body had been cremated, but Euracare stated, “We are ready to proceed despite the news of cremation.” The coroner directed that Euracare present evidence first, followed by the family and then Atlantis Hospital.
Esege added that the inquest might have concluded by now if the family were dealing with an honest hospital. The postponement of the inquest to October 2026, nine months after Nkanu’s death, has denied the family peace of mind. “It has been a nightmare dealing with Euracare while keeping life as normal as possible for our daughter and for Nkanu’s twin brother and trying to protect my wife from much of this upheaval,” he said.
Medical Council Findings
Separately, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), a statutory body that regulates medical practice, set up an Investigative Panel into Nkanu’s death. By a letter dated 25 February 2026, the panel found that the Euracare Chief Medical Director, Dr Tosin Majekodunmi, and the anaesthesiologist who administered sedation on Nkanu, Dr Titus Ogundare, have a case of negligence to answer to.
