A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of an Abuja-based medical practitioner and pastor, Dr. John Abebe, over alleged N19 million IVF fraud, unlawful disclosure of patients’ medical records and alleged sale of embryos.
Dr. Abebe, who is also said to be a pastor with Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel, alongside Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, is facing a three-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Inspector General of Police.
The case, presided over by Justice Akeem A. Fashola, was adjourned to June 18, 2026, following disagreements over a pending application filed by the defence counsel.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly breached the confidentiality of medical records belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Mary Manga by releasing sensitive reproductive health information to the public without their consent, contrary to provisions of the National Health Act, 2014.
The prosecution further alleged that between January and May 2025, Dr. Abebe fraudulently obtained N19 million from the couple under the guise of providing specialised In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment.
The Federal Government claimed that the accused converted the money to personal use despite allegedly lacking the expertise he claimed to possess in the fertility treatment field.
In one of the most controversial aspects of the case, prosecutors also accused the fertility specialist of selling the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients, an allegation that has drawn widespread public attention.
The charge sheet stated that the doctor unlawfully exposed the fertility status and confidential medical history of the couple in documents attached to a legal correspondence, which allegedly became accessible to third parties.
The prosecution maintained that the disclosure subjected the victims to emotional trauma and embarrassment.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, counsel to the defendant, Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court of a pending application and initially 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 respond appropriately.
The defence counsel later indicated readiness to proceed with the substantive matter, but Justice Fashola ruled that the trial could not continue unless the pending application was withdrawn.
Since the defence was unwilling to withdraw the motion, 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 pleaded not guilty to all charges and have remained on bail since their arraignment on March 11, 2026.
