Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Jabi, Abuja, has formally arraigned an Abuja‑based medical doctor, Dr. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, along with his medical facility, Joje Abebe Hospital and Fertility Centre Limited, on multiple criminal charges including fraud, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of a couple’s embryos. The arraignment took place on 11 March 2026 before Justice A. A. Fashola and marks a major development in a case that has drawn national attention due to its sensitive ethical and medical dimensions.
Dr. Abebe, 54, who is also reportedly a pastor at Living Faith Church Worldwide in Durumi, Abuja, pleaded not guilty to the three‑count charge presented against him and the company. The charges were brought by the Federal Government in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) after a petition was lodged with the Nigeria Police Force, triggering a formal criminal investigation earlier in 2026.
Prosecutors allege that between January and May 2025, Dr. Abebe, acting as a Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, defrauded a married couple—identified in court documents as Mr. and Mrs. Mary Manga—of approximately ₦19 million under the pretext of providing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services. The prosecution claims he falsely represented himself as a specialist in IVF treatment, collected payment from the couple for those services, and then converted the funds for personal use instead of delivering the agreed medical treatment.
In addition to the financial fraud charge, the doctor is accused of unlawfully selling embryos that were retrieved from the couple as part of their fertility treatment without their consent. According to the prosecution, Dr. Abebe allegedly facilitated the sale of those embryos, which are considered highly sensitive biological material under national and international medical ethics standards. The charge sheet further alleges that he breached patient confidentiality by releasing the couple’s private medical information to third parties without authorisation, an act said to contravene Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.
One of the specific allegations claims that Dr. Abebe attached sensitive medical information regarding the husband’s fertility status to a legal document that was later accessed by third parties, exposing the couple’s confidential medical history without their permission. This is the first count in the charge and relates both to breach of professional ethics and privacy laws.
The second and third counts revolve around the alleged fraud and criminal conspiracy. Prosecutors say the doctor used deception to obtain the ₦19 million from the couple, asserting that he had qualifications and expertise in IVF treatment that he did not, in fact, possess. He is also accused of misappropriating the couple’s embryos, converting them to his own use or selling them without the consent of their biological parents—a charge that has attracted significant public attention due to the ethical implications involved.
At the arraignment, Dr. Abebe’s defence counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, Esq., entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and also sought bail from the court. The prosecution did not oppose the bail application, and Justice Fashola granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million with a surety of equal amount. The judge stipulated that the surety must be a professional employed with a reputable organisation, in line with standard judicial conditions for serious criminal charges. The matter was adjourned until 2 April 2026 for the commencement of trial procedures.
The allegations have sparked significant controversy within both legal and medical circles due to the sensitive nature of fertility treatments and the profound ethical responsibilities such procedures entail. IVF services are expected to adhere to strict confidentiality and consent protocols, particularly where reproductive material such as embryos is involved. The alleged sale of embryos without informed consent has raised questions about regulatory oversight of fertility clinics in Nigeria and the legal protections for patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatments.
The case also highlights broader concerns about professional conduct and accountability among medical practitioners operating in specialised fields. While the Police and Federal Government have pursued criminal charges, Dr. Abebe and his representatives have denied any wrongdoing. In statements issued through his medical facility, management has described the petition leading to the prosecution as part of a smear campaign intended to damage his reputation after more than three decades of medical practice.
Legal experts say the outcome of the trial could set important precedents in how Nigerian courts handle disputes involving fertility treatments, patient confidentiality, and the commercial administration of reproductive healthcare services. If convicted, the doctor and the associated clinic could face significant penalties under multiple statutes, including the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and provisions of the National Health Act governing patient privacy and professional ethics.
The timing of the arraignment also comes amid rising public discourse about the need for stronger regulation of medical facilities in Nigeria, especially those offering highly specialised and sensitive health services such as IVF. Advocacy groups and medical associations have previously called for clearer guidelines and enforcement mechanisms to protect patients from abuse, exploitation, or unethical practices in medical settings.
Stone Reporters note that the trial’s progression will be closely watched by legal, medical, and ethical observers as it unfolds in the coming weeks. The allegations against Dr. Abebe raise fundamental questions about patient rights, consent, and the responsibilities of healthcare providers in ensuring transparent, lawful, and ethical treatment.
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