The Nigeria Police on Wednesday arraigned an Abuja-based medical practitioner, Dr. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe and his facility, Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited over allegations of fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of a couple’s embryos.

Abebe, who is said to be a pastor at Living Faith Church Worldwide in Durumi, Abuja, was arraigned before Justice A. A. Fashola of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi on a three-court charge, marked: CV/005/26 and filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

He pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him and a not guilty plea was also recorded for his facility by the judge.

After his plea was taken, prosecuting lawyer, Joseph Wada sought a date for the commencement of trial.

Defence lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe moved a bail application on behalf of Abebe, which was not opposed by Wada, following which Justice Fashola admitted him (Abebe) to bail at N5million with a surety in like sum.

Justice Fashola ordered that the surety must be a professional, working with a reputable and verifiable organisation and adjourned till April 2, 2026 for the commencement of trial.

In the charge, Abebe 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.

Count one reads, “That you, John Onuwabhagbe Abebe (male) 54 years, 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 August 6, 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 rendering the victim traumatized and yet to recover from the shock, contrary to your oath of allegiance, and you thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 299 of the National Health Act, 2014.”

Count three reads: “That you, John Onuwabhagbe Abebe (male) 54 years, 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 Abuja judicial division between the month of January to May 2025, at FCT Abuja, 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 are specialized in Invitro Fertilization (IVF), having reason to believe you are not skilled in that field and converted the whole money and some of their embryos to your own use and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, 2006.” (The Nation, but headline reworked)

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