FG files fresh charge against Abuja doctor over IVF fraud

The Federal Government has filed a fresh criminal charge against Dr. John Abebe, an Abuja-based fertility doctor, and his clinic, Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, over alleged fraud, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the sale of a couple's embryos. The charges were filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The case, numbered CR/005/2026, also includes Balkis Olanike Bakare. The fresh charges follow a previous prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, over similar allegations. Dr. Abebe and the clinic were first arraigned on March 11, 2026, on charges of criminal conspiracy, fraud, and unlawful disclosure of medical records.

The government alleges that Dr. Abebe unlawfully disclosed the confidential medical records of Mr. and Mrs. Mary Manga without their consent, contravening Section 29 of the National Health Act, 2014. The charges also claim that Dr. Abebe obtained N19m from the couple under the guise of providing In Vitro Fertilisation services, converting the money to his personal use, and unlawfully dealing with some of the couple's embryos.

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