FG arraigns Abuja doctor, pastor over IVF fraud, sale of couple’s embryos

The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned an Abuja-based medical practitioner, Dr. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, over allegations of fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of a couple’s embryos.

Dr. Abebe, who is also a pastor at Living Faith Church Worldwide in Durumi, Abuja, was arraigned alongside his hospital, Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, before Justice A. A. Fashola of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi.

The prosecution filed a three-count charge against the defendants bordering on fraud, breach of medical confidentiality, and conspiracy.

According to the charge, Abebe allegedly released the confidential medical records of Mrs. Mary Manga and her husband to the public without their consent, an act said to violate provisions of the National Health Act 2014.

Prosecutors further alleged that between January and May 2025, Abebe, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, defrauded the couple of N19 million by falsely claiming to be a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). The charge stated that he collected the money for treatment but converted it to personal use, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

One of the most serious allegations in the case is that the doctor reportedly sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients, a claim that prosecutors said could represent one of the most disturbing fertility-related scandals in recent times if proven.

In the first count, the prosecution alleged that Abebe abused his position by releasing the couple’s confidential medical records to members of the public without their authorisation, causing emotional distress to the victims.

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, which was later accessed by third parties.

The third count alleged that the defendants obtained N19 million from the couple under false pretences, claiming expertise in IVF treatment while allegedly lacking the necessary skills and misappropriating both the funds and the embryos.

When the charges were read in court, Dr. Abebe and his hospital pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, Barrister Marvin Omorogbe, applied for bail, which was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Barrister Joseph Wada.

Justice Fashola subsequently granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with one reliable surety in like sum. The surety must be a professional working with a reputable and verifiable organisation.

The court adjourned the matter until April 2, 2026, for trial.