FG files fresh charge against Abuja doctor over IVF fraud

n n

The Federal Government on Monday filed a fresh criminal charge against an Abuja-based fertility doctor, Dr John Abebe, over alleged fraud, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records and the alleged sale of a couple’s embryos.

n

Also charged in the case, numbered CR/005/2026, are Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited and Balkis Olanike Bakare.

n

The fresh charge was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

n

In the charge, the Federal Government alleged that Abebe unlawfully disclosed the confidential medical records of Mr and Mrs Mary Manga without their consent.

n

The government said the alleged disclosure contravened Section 29 of the National Health Act, 2014, which provides for the confidentiality of patients’ medical information.

n

The fresh case followed the earlier prosecution of Abebe by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, over similar allegations.

n

Abebe and Joje Abebe Hospital Limited were first arraigned on March 11, 2026, before Justice Akeem Fashola of the FCT High Court, Gudu, on a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, fraud and unlawful disclosure of medical records.

n

They pleaded not guilty to the allegations and the court granted Abebe bail. The police prosecution had alleged that on August 6, 2025, the doctor released the confidential medical records of Mrs Manga without authorisation, allegedly causing her emotional trauma.

n

The police also accused him of breaching a confidentiality agreement involving her husband, Mr Adamu Hassan, by attaching his medical history, including details of his fertility status, to a demand/pre-action notice sent through a third-party law firm.

n

The fresh charge further alleged that between January and May 2025, Abebe, described as a Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, obtained N19m from the couple under the pretext of providing specialist In Vitro Fertilisation services.

n

The Federal Government alleged that the doctor subsequently converted the money to his personal use, contrary to Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. It also alleged that the doctor unlawfully dealt with some of the couple’s embryos, including fully developed embryos allegedly created during the IVF process.

n

According to the charge, the embryos allegedly involved comprised nine embryos—two male and seven female—which the prosecution claimed were sold to other patients. The government further alleged that the doctor’s actions amounted to a breach of the couple’s reproductive rights and medical confidentiality.

n

In one of the counts, the prosecution alleged that Abebe and the fertility centre unlawfully disclosed the confidential medical records of the couple without their consent. Another count accused the doctor of breaching an agreement relating to the confidentiality of the reproductive health information of the complainants by attaching the records to a legal demand notice.

n

The prosecution alleged that the disclosure made the confidential information accessible to third parties and subjected the complainants to emotional distress. The third count centred on the alleged N19m fraud, with the Federal Government accusing Abebe of obtaining the money by false pretence and converting it, alongside some of the couple’s embryos, to his personal use.

n

The development comes as the earlier trial of the doctor remains before Justice Fashola.

n

PUNCH Online reports that at the last hearing, the court adjourned the matter after a procedural disagreement between the prosecution and defence over a pending application.

n

The defence counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, had initially sought to move the application before suggesting that the substantive trial should proceed.

n

However, the judge directed the prosecution, led by Malik D. Taiwo, to respond formally to the defence application unless it was withdrawn. The case was subsequently adjourned.

n

The allegations against Abebe have not been proved in court.

n

The fresh prosecution is expected to bring renewed attention to issues surrounding medical confidentiality, assisted reproductive technology, ownership and handling of embryos, and the regulation of fertility treatment in Nigeria.

n

Abebe, who is also a pastor at Living Faith Church, Durumi, Abuja, has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to the earlier charges.

n n