The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned an Abuja-based medical practitioner, Dr. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, and his hospital, Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi over alleged fraud linked to In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment.
Dr. Abebe, who is also a pastor at Living Faith Church Worldwide in Durumi, Abuja, was docked before Justice A. A. Fashola on a three-count charge bordering on fraud, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful disclosure of confidential medical information.
The prosecution alleged that the doctor defrauded a couple, Mr. Adamu Hassan and his wife, Mrs. Mary Manga, of N19 million under the guise of providing IVF treatment.
According to the charge, the alleged offence occurred between January and May 2025 when the defendant reportedly presented himself as an IVF specialist and collected the money for fertility treatment.
Prosecutors further told the court that the defendant allegedly failed to provide the promised service and converted the money to personal use.
The Federal Government also accused the doctor of releasing confidential medical information belonging to the couple without their consent, contrary to the provisions of the National Health Act, 2014.
In one of the counts, the prosecution alleged that Dr. Abebe disclosed the couple’s private medical records to members of the public without authorisation, an act said to have caused emotional distress to the victims.
The charge also stated that the defendant allegedly breached a confidentiality agreement with the husband by attaching sensitive medical information relating to his fertility status to a legal document that was later accessed by third parties.
Prosecutors further alleged that the doctor unlawfully sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients, an action described as a serious breach of medical ethics and trust.
However, when the charges were read to them in court, Dr. Abebe and his hospital pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the defendant, Marvin Omorogbe, subsequently applied for bail on behalf of his client. The application was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Joseph Wada.
Justice Fashola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.
The court held that the surety must be a professional working with a reputable and verifiable organisation.
Justice Fashola thereafter adjourned the matter until April 2, 2026, for trial.
