An Abuja High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory has adjourned the trial of a medical practitioner, Dr. John Abebe, and his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, over allegations bordering on IVF fraud, unlawful disclosure of patients’ medical records and alleged sale of embryos.
The case, presided over by Justice Akeem A. Fashola, was adjourned to June 18, 2026, following arguments over a pending application filed by the defence counsel.
Dr. Abebe, who is also said to be a pastor with Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel, Durumi, Abuja, was arraigned alongside his hospital on a three-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Inspector General of Police.
The charges include alleged criminal conspiracy, fraud, unlawful release of confidential medical records and the alleged sale of embryos belonging to a couple undergoing fertility treatment at the hospital.
According to the prosecution, the defendants unlawfully disclosed the confidential medical records of Mrs. Mary Manga and her husband without their consent, an action said to contravene provisions of the National Health Act, 2014.
The prosecution further alleged that between January and May 2025, Dr. Abebe obtained N19 million from the couple under the pretext of being a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), but allegedly converted the money and some of the couple’s embryos to personal use.
The allegations have stirred public concern, particularly claims that the embryos were allegedly sold to other patients, a development observers described as one of the most disturbing fertility-related allegations in recent times.
In count one of the charge, the prosecution accused the defendants of abusing their office by releasing the couple’s medical records to the public, thereby exposing them to emotional trauma and public embarrassment.
Count two alleged that Dr. Abebe breached a confidential agreement with the husband of the complainant by attaching sensitive fertility-related medical information to a legal document, which was allegedly accessed by third parties.
The third count accused the defendants of defrauding the couple of N19 million through false representation regarding IVF expertise and services.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, defence counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that he had filed an application and sought permission to move the motion.
However, prosecution counsel, Malik D. Taiwo, told the court he had not been served with the application and requested time to study and respond to it.
Omorogbe later informed the court that the defence was prepared to proceed with the substantive matter, but Justice Fashola ruled that the trial could only continue if the pending application was withdrawn.
Since the defence was unwilling to withdraw the application, the court granted the prosecution time to file its response and subsequently adjourned the matter to June 18, 2026.
Dr. Abebe and Joje Abebe Hospital Limited had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges and have remained on bail since March 11, 2026.
