The Federal Government has filed a new criminal case against an Abuja-based fertility specialist, Dr John Abebe, accusing him of fraud, unlawful disclosure of patients’ medical information and the alleged unauthorised handling and sale of a couple’s embryos.
The fresh suit, marked CR/005/2026, was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Also listed as defendants are Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited and Balkis Olanike Bakare.
According to the prosecution, Abebe allegedly disclosed the confidential medical records of Mr and Mrs Mary Manga without their consent, in violation of provisions of the National Health Act, 2014, which protect the confidentiality of patients’ medical information.
The new case comes against the backdrop of an earlier criminal prosecution involving Abebe over related allegations.
Abebe and Joje Abebe Hospital Limited were initially arraigned on March 11, 2026, before Justice Akeem Fashola of the FCT High Court in Gudu.
They were charged with criminal conspiracy, fraud and unlawful disclosure of medical records and pleaded not guilty. The court subsequently granted Abebe bail.
In the earlier case, the police alleged that the doctor released Mrs Manga’s confidential medical records without authorisation on August 6, 2025, an action they claimed caused her emotional distress.
The police further alleged that Abebe breached a confidentiality agreement concerning her husband, Mr Adamu Hassan, by including his medical history and fertility information in a demand or pre-action notice sent through a third-party law firm.
ALLEGED ₦19M IVF FRAUD
In the latest charge, the Federal Government alleged that between January and May 2025, Abebe obtained approximately ₦19 million from the couple after representing that the money would be used to provide specialist in-vitro fertilisation treatment.
The prosecution alleged that the money was subsequently converted to the doctor’s personal use, contrary to provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
The government also made allegations concerning embryos reportedly created during the couple’s IVF treatment.
According to the charge, nine embryos—two male and seven female—were allegedly dealt with without the couple’s authorisation and sold to other patients.
The prosecution contends that the alleged actions violated the couple’s reproductive rights and breached the confidentiality expected in the doctor-patient relationship.
One of the counts focuses on the alleged disclosure of the couple’s medical records, while another concerns the alleged breach of an agreement protecting information relating to their reproductive health.
The third count centres on the alleged ₦19 million obtained for IVF services and the subsequent alleged conversion of the funds and embryos.
EARLIER CASE STILL BEFORE COURT
The fresh prosecution comes while the earlier case against Abebe remains pending before Justice Fashola.
At the most recent proceedings, the matter was adjourned following a procedural disagreement between the prosecution and defence over a pending application.
Defence counsel Marvin Omorogbe had indicated an intention to move the application before proposing that the substantive trial proceed.
The judge, however, directed the prosecution, led by Malik D. Taiwo, to formally respond to the application unless it was withdrawn, after which the case was adjourned.
The allegations in both cases remain accusations and have not been established by the court.
The latest development is expected to draw further attention to the regulation of fertility treatment in Nigeria, particularly issues surrounding medical confidentiality, reproductive rights and the handling and ownership of embryos created through assisted reproductive procedures.
Abebe, who is also a pastor at Living Faith Church, Durumi, Abuja, has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty in the earlier case.
