An Abuja-based medical practitioner, Dr. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, and his facility, Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, have been arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over allegations of fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of a couple’s embryos.
Dr. Abebe, a 54-year-old Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist who also reportedly serves as a pastor at Living Faith Church Worldwide in Durumi, Abuja, was brought before Justice A. A. Fashola of the FCT High Court sitting in Jabi on a three-count charge filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police and marked CV/005/26.
Both Dr. Abebe and his facility pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
In the first count, the prosecution alleged that Dr. Abebe, while in custody of the medical records of Mr. and Mrs. Mary Manga concerning their health and reproductive status, released their confidential medical information to members of the public on or before August 6, 2025, without authorization or consent. The prosecution said the disclosure left the victims traumatized and yet to recover from the shock, and constituted a violation of Dr. Abebe’s oath of allegiance, contrary to Section 299 of the National Health Act, 2014.
The second count accused the doctor of breaching a confidential agreement with the husband, Mr. Adamu Hassan, by attaching sensitive medical information regarding his fertility status to a legal document that was later accessed by third parties.
In the third and most severe count, the prosecution alleged that between January and May 2025, Dr. Abebe deceived Mrs. Mary Manga and her husband, collecting N19 million from the couple under the pretense that he was specialized in In Vitro Fertilization while allegedly lacking the necessary skills in that field. The prosecution further alleged that the doctor converted the funds and some of the couple’s embryos to his own use, an offence punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Following the defendants’ not guilty pleas, prosecuting lawyer Joseph Wada sought a date for the commencement of trial. Defence counsel Marvin Omorogbe then moved a bail application on behalf of Dr. Abebe, which the prosecution did not oppose.
Justice Fashola admitted the doctor to bail in the sum of N5 million with a surety in like sum. The court ordered that the surety must be a professional working with a reputable and verifiable organisation.
As of the time of filing this report, Dr. Abebe had met the bail conditions and returned home to his family.
The management of Joje Fertility Centre Limited had earlier denied the allegations in a public statement, describing the petition and subsequent charges as a smear campaign intended to tarnish Dr. Abebe’s reputation after more than three decades of medical practice.
The case stems from a petition reportedly filed by one Hassan Turaki to the Nigeria Police Force, alleging that Dr. Abebe disclosed his wife’s medical report in correspondence sent to the doctor’s lawyer.
The matter has been adjourned to April 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
