Abuja Court Arraigns Fertility Doctor John Abebe Over Alleged N19Million IVF Scam, Medical Records Leak, Grants N5Million Bail

 The prosecution alleged that the medical practitioner unlawfully released the confidential medical records of a patient, Mrs. Mary Manga, and her husband to the public without her consent, an act said to violate Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of N5 million to Abuja-based fertility specialist and Living Faith Church pastor, John Abebe, following his arraignment on a three-count charge of fraud, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records.

Abebe was arraigned alongside his medical facility, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, before Justice A. A. Fashola of the FCT High Court. The charges stem from a petition reportedly linked to former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The prosecution alleged that the medical practitioner unlawfully released the confidential medical records of a patient, Mrs. Mary Manga, and her husband to the public without her consent, an act said to violate Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.

According to court documents, the alleged offence occurred in Abuja where Abebe, described as a chief consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, was accused of disclosing the couple’s medical information without authorization.

The charges further accused the doctor of defrauding the couple of N19 million between January and May 2025 under the pretext of providing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

Prosecutors told the court that Abebe allegedly obtained the money by falsely presenting himself as a specialist in IVF procedures and later converted the funds for personal use. 

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

During the proceedings, the defendant’s counsel, Barrister Marvin Omorogbe, applied for bail on behalf of his client. The application was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Barrister Joseph Wada.

Justice Fashola subsequently granted Abebe bail in the sum of N5 million with one reliable surety in like sum.

The court also ordered that the surety must be a professional working with a responsible and verifiable organization.