The Federal Government has brought a 54-year-old Abuja-based medical practitioner, John Abebe, before a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, facing charges of fraud and criminal conspiracy.
Abebe, who is also a pastor at Living Faith Church in Durumi, Abuja, was arraigned on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, along with his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, on three counts of fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of a couple’s embryos.
The doctor was accused of unlawfully releasing the confidential medical records of Mrs. Mary Manga and her husband to the public without her consent, in contravention of Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.
In addition to the alleged breach of medical confidentiality, prosecutors claim that between January and May 2025, Abebe, described as a Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, deceived and defrauded the couple of N19 million under the pretext of being a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation.
The prosecution alleged that he collected the money for treatment and converted it to personal use, an offence punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
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It was also alleged that the doctor sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients, a development that, if proven, could mark one of the most scandalous fertility-related cases in the country’s recent history.
When the charges were read to him, Abebe and JojeAbebe Hospital Limited pleaded not guilty.
His counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, applied for his bail, which was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Joseph Wada.
Consequently, Justice A. A. Fashola granted Abebe bail in the tune of N5 million with a reliable surety in like sum, who must be a professional working with a responsible and verifiable organisation, and adjourned to April 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The case has drawn widespread attention from both the medical community and the general public, with many expressing concern over the ethical implications for fertility treatment practices in Nigeria. Experts have highlighted the need for stricter oversight and regulatory enforcement to prevent similar abuses in assisted reproductive services.
Lawyers and patient advocacy groups say the case could set an important precedent for how reproductive health violations are prosecuted. They note that if the allegations are proven, it would underscore the legal responsibility of medical practitioners to maintain confidentiality and act in the best interest of their patients.
Meanwhile, the hospital where the doctor operates has suspended all fertility services pending the outcome of the trial. Authorities have indicated that they will conduct thorough inspections to ensure that other patients’ treatments and records have not been compromised, aiming to restore public confidence in the sector.
The Cable
