Alleged IVF fraud, embryo sale: Court adjourns trial to June 18

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, presided over by Justice Akeem A. Fashola, has postponed the trial of Dr. John Abebe and his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, to 18 June 2026. The case involves allegations of selling a patient’s embryos and committing fraud related to in‑vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Dr. Abebe, a pastor at Living Faith Church (AKA Winners Chapel) in Durumi, Abuja, was charged on 11 March 2026 with three counts: fraud, unlawful disclosure of a patient’s medical records, and the sale of embryos. The charges were brought by the Federal Government through the Inspector General of Police.

The first charge accuses Abebe of disclosing the confidential medical records of Mrs. Mary Manga and her husband without their consent, an act that violates Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.

Prosecutors also allege that between January and May 2025, Abebe, a chief consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, deceived the couple and obtained N19 million (N19,000,000) by falsely presenting himself as an IVF specialist. The money was allegedly used for personal purposes, a violation of Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006. The charge further claims that the doctor sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Abebe’s lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that he had a pending application and requested the judge to allow it to be moved. Prosecutor Malik D. Taiwo stated he was unaware of the application and asked for time to respond. Omorogbe later withdrew his request and indicated readiness to proceed with the substantive case. Justice Fashola explained that the trial could only continue if the application is withdrawn; since it was not, the prosecution was permitted to file a written response to the motion. The judge then adjourned the case to 18 June 2026.

Abebe and Joje Abebe Hospital Limited have pleaded not guilty and have been on bail since 11 March 2026.

Count 1.

“That you, 1. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe ‘M’ 54 years, 2. Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, being a Chief Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist/Medical Doctor of Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, head office located at No. 0140, Bamanga Tukur Street, Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, FCT, Abuja, within the Abuja Judicial Division, while you were in custody of Mr. & Mrs. Mary Manga’s medical records concerning their health welfare and their production status on or before 6 August 2025, at FCT, Abuja, without their authorisation or consent, abused your office and released their secret medical record to members of the public. As a result, you rendered the victim traumatized and still recovering from the shock, contrary to your oath of allegiance. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 299 of the National Health Act, 2014.”

Count 2.

“That you, 1. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe ‘M’ 54 years, 2. Jeje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, being a Chief Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist/Medical Doctor of Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, located at No. 0140, Bamanga Tukur Street, Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, FCT, Abuja, on or about 17 September 2025, were invited by the officers and men of the FID STS, Police Force Headquarters FCT, Abuja, to breach the confidential agreement you made with Mr. Adamu Hassan, the husband of Mrs. Mary Manga, regarding his reproductive status. You failed to keep this information private and, on 6 August 2025, attached their medical history—showing the poor fertility status of her husband—to a document titled Demand/Pre‑Action Notice from the law firm of Fabunmi and Co. The document was received and read by Albert Gaji, the litigation secretary of Y. J. Imam Yusuf John Esq, and was later exposed to other members of the public, causing ongoing trauma. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 29 of the National Health Act, 2014.”

Count 3.

“That you, 1. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe ‘M’ 54 years, 2. Jeje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, being a Chief Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist/Medical Doctor of Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, located at No. 0140, Bamanga Tukur Street, Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, FCT, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, between January and May 2025, with intent to defraud by false pretense, deceived and duped Mrs. Mary Manga and her husband to the tune of N19 million (N19,000,000) under the pretense that you were a specialist in IVF, while in reality you were not skilled in that field. You converted the entire amount and some of their embryos for your own use. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”