Three doctors suspended by a Nigerian medical panel over the death of the son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have criticized the investigation, alleging they were denied a fair hearing and that provisions of the country’s medical ethics code were wrongly applied.
The doctors, who spoke to Nigerian Mirror on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, said the process conducted by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel was biased and appeared aimed at sanctioning them.
They called for the indictment to be set aside and demanded a public apology, saying the panel’s decision had caused irreparable damage to their reputations.
The panel, set up by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, announced the suspension of the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare; and the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh.
The three doctors were suspended after the panel found evidence of medical negligence in the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
The panel said the doctors would remain barred from practicing medicine in Nigeria until their cases are determined by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
It also said it found a prima facie case of professional misconduct against 10 other doctors who had contact with the patient, while eight others were cleared of wrongdoing.
The decisions followed a review of complaints against 21 doctors, including examination of counter-affidavits and oral depositions. The investigation concluded during the panel’s 25th session in Abuja on Feb. 17 and 18, 2026.
Nkanu, one of the twin sons of Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, died on Jan. 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
Adichie had earlier alleged medical negligence, saying her son was taken to Euracare Hospital in Lagos for an MRI scan and insertion of a central line after what initially appeared to be a common cold developed into a severe infection.
She said the child was sedated with propofol during the procedure but was not properly monitored afterward, leading to complications including loss of responsiveness, seizures and cardiac arrest.
One of the doctors accused the panel of wrongly applying Rule 49(c) of the Code of Medical Ethics in its decision.
A copy of the code obtained by Saturday PUNCH shows that Rule 49 addresses private practice by registered medical practitioners employed full-time as consultants in the public service.
Rule 49(c) states that a consultant or practitioner of similar status may offer in-hospital care to private patients only within the public hospital where they are employed full-time, and it is unethical for such practitioners to provide institutional care to patients outside that hospital.
The doctor said the rule was misinterpreted because the patient was not his private patient and he had only been invited to provide an expert opinion.
“They said I violated Rule 49(c), which was a wrong application of the rule,” the doctor said. “The rule allows medical practitioners to use their professional skills during their free time, provided it does not clash with official duties.”
He said the consultation occurred on a Saturday when he was not on duty and that another doctor was responsible for the patient.
The doctor also questioned why the rule was cited against practitioners who, he said, were not public servants.
“There was a consultant cardiologist who works in a private hospital in Lagos who was invited to perform a cardiograph on the patient, and Rule 49(c) was also quoted against her, even though she does not work in government service,” he said.
The doctors said they had petitioned the council’s leadership, describing the panel’s decision as damaging to their professional reputations.
They also alleged they were denied the opportunity to question the complainant during the proceedings.
“At the panel, the complainant was absent, but her legal counsel was present and allowed to cross-examine us,” one doctor said. “We were not given the opportunity to cross-examine the complainant or her representatives.”
Another doctor said he was surprised to be listed among those with a case to answer, insisting that his only contact with the patient was during a consultation.
He alleged the panel conducted questioning in an aggressive manner and treated respondents as if they were already guilty.
“The questioning was aggressive, and we were treated as if we were guilty even before the panel concluded its work,” he said.
He also denied allegations that he violated provisions of the Code of Medical Ethics relating to professional fees and employment in both public and private hospitals.
“I do not collect fees from colleagues, and I do not work in any public hospital in Lagos,” he said.
The doctors warned that the panel’s findings could damage public trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system and discourage physicians from providing care.
“If 10 doctors are all accused of misconduct in managing a single patient, what message does that send about our hospitals?” one doctor asked.
Another doctor accused the panel of bias, alleging that the physician who performed a lumbar puncture on the child — which she said triggered complications leading to his death — was not among those indicted.
“The person who performed the procedure that finally led to the death of that child was not even among the 10 doctors who were indicted,” she said.
She alleged the panel’s decision was intended to create the impression that action was being taken.
“I think the panel had already decided what it would do even before inviting us,” she said.
When contacted for comment, the secretary of the panel, Enejo Abdu, declined to speak.
“We do not speak to the press. I’m not authorized to speak to the press,” he said.
