Alleged IVF fraud: FG files fresh 12-count charge against Abuja medical doctor

The Federal Government has filed a fresh 12-count criminal charge against an Abuja-based fertility doctor, Pastor John Abebe, for alleged misconduct in the IVF field. Abebe, a pastor with Living Faith Church in Abuja, is accused of unlawful disclosure of a patient's medical records, sale of human embryos, and fraud. The charge was filed on July 21, 2026, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

Abebe is accused of selling nine out of 12 human embryos from Mr. and Mrs. Adamu Hassan to other patients, comprising two males and seven females. He is also accused of defrauding the couple of N19 million and administering fake and substandard drugs that led to Mrs. Manga's cessation of menstrual cycles since January 2025 and her health deterioration.

Prosecutors claim Abebe and Balikis Olanike Bakare, who was not part of the initial charge, claimed to have transferred two male embryos to a surrogate mother, Miss Joy Ene Pius, while evidence shows otherwise.