Nigeria will hold an inquest into the toddler’s death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

On April 14, an official inquiry into the death of Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son will start. About seven weeks after Nkanu Nnamdi Esege passed away at a Euracare hospital, the date was fixed during a preliminary hearing at the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos.

Adiche and her family have charged Euracare of malpractice, claiming that Nkanu had a cardiac arrest as a result of the medics’ refusal to give him oxygen and excessive sedation. The hospital said that its care had been in accordance with international standards and offered its “deepest sympathies” for the loss, but it denied any misconduct. Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji ordered all parties to submit witness testimonies prior to the inquest during Wednesday’s preliminary hearing.

As the coroner attempts to determine the circumstances and cause of Nkanu’s death, the court is anticipated to hear testimony from medical professionals and hospital personnel. Nkanu was first admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos with what was described as a worsening but moderate sickness, according to arguments presented to the court by Adichie’s legal team.

He was to be sent to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States for more care. However, the kid was first sent to Euracare by Atlantis Hospital for pre-flight tests, which included a spinal tap, or lumbar puncture, and an MRI. After undergoing these operations, he passed away on January 7.

Three days later, attorneys for Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, filed a lawsuit accusing Euracare of failing to uphold the child’s duty of care.

This accusation was refuted by the hospital. Award-winning author Adichie, 48, is well-known for a number of widely read books, including Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun.

Although she currently resides in the US, she was born and raised in Nigeria. In 2016, Adichie gave birth to her first child, a daughter. Using a surrogate, Nkanu was one of twin boys delivered in 2024.  An outcry about patient safety in Nigeria’s healthcare system has been sparked by his death.