By Juliet Ezeh
Some of the doctors indicted over the death of the son of renowned Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have rejected the findings of the investigative panel that recommended sanctions against them, alleging bias and denial of fair hearing during the proceedings.
The medical practitioners, who spoke anonymously over fears of victimisation, said the process conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) failed to follow due procedure and wrongly applied provisions of the Code of Medical Ethics.
The panel had earlier announced the suspension of the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Tunde Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anesthesiologist, Titus Ogundare; and the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Atinuke Uwajeh.
According to the panel, the doctors were found to have questions to answer over alleged medical negligence linked to the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
The affected practitioners are expected to remain barred from practising medicine in Nigeria pending the outcome of proceedings before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Doctors Dispute Ethics Rule Interpretation
However, one of the indicted doctors argued that the panel wrongly relied on provisions of the Code of Medical Ethics, particularly Rule 49(c), in arriving at its decision.
The doctor explained that the rule cited by the panel relates mainly to public-sector consultants providing private in-hospital care outside their place of employment.
According to him, the patient involved in the case was not his private patient and he had only been invited to give an expert opinion during the medical consultation.
He further stated that the interaction took place during his personal time and did not conflict with his official duties.
Allegations of One-Sided Proceedings
Another doctor criticised the investigative process, claiming the respondents were not given an opportunity to question the complainant during the hearing.
According to the doctor, while legal representatives of the complainant were allowed to cross-examine the doctors, the respondents were not permitted to cross-examine the complainant directly.
He also alleged that panel members conducted questioning in an aggressive manner that suggested the doctors had already been presumed guilty.
Concerns Over Public Disclosure
The doctors also faulted the council for announcing the panel’s findings publicly before formally notifying them.
One of the practitioners said the public statement about the decision was released before the affected doctors received official letters informing them of the outcome of the investigation.
They argued that the premature announcement had already caused significant damage to their professional reputations.
Calls for Reversal of Indictment
The doctors are now demanding that the decision of the panel be set aside, insisting that there was no evidence of professional misconduct in their roles during the treatment process.
They warned that labelling multiple doctors as negligent in the management of a single patient could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The controversy follows the death of Adichie’s son in January 2026 after he reportedly developed complications during treatment for a serious infection.
While the writer had alleged medical negligence in the handling of the case, the doctors involved say the investigation into the incident must be conducted fairly and without prejudice.
Attempts to obtain official comments from the investigation panel were unsuccessful, as its secretary, Enejo Abdu, declined to speak on the matter.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.