Abuja Pastor-Doctor Arraigned for Alleged N19m IVF Embryo Scam

Nigeria Police Force has dragged a prominent Abuja fertility specialist and pastor before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over serious allegations bordering on fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the sale of a couple’s embryos.

Dr John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, 54, who doubles as a pastor at Living Faith Church Worldwide in Durumi, Abuja, was arraigned alongside his facility, Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited, on Wednesday before Justice A.A. Fashola at the Jabi High Court.

The three-count charge, marked CV/005/26 and filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police, accused the medical doctor of deceiving a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Mary Manga.

According to the charge sheet, between January and May 2025, Abebe allegedly collected N19 million from the couple under the false pretence that he was a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment, despite allegedly lacking the required expertise. Prosecutors claimed he converted part of the money and some of the couple’s fully developed embryos to his personal use.

One count further alleged that on or before August 6, 2025, Abebe abused his position by releasing the couple’s confidential medical records concerning their health and fertility status to members of the public without consent, in violation of Section 299 of the National Health Act, 2014. This action reportedly left the victims traumatised.

A second count accused him of breaching confidentiality by attaching sensitive details about Mr Manga’s fertility status to a legal document, which later circulated among third parties.

Abebe, described in the charge as Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the facility located at No. 0140, Bamanga Tukur Street, Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja, pleaded not guilty to all counts. The court also entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the company.

Prosecuting counsel Joseph Wada prayed the court for a trial date, while defence lawyer Marvin Omorogbe applied for bail. The application was not opposed, and Justice Fashola granted Abebe bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a professional working with a reputable and verifiable organisation.

The case was adjourned to April 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

NaijaChoice News reports that the management of Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited has strongly denied all allegations, describing them as a calculated smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of Dr Abebe after over 30 years of dedicated medical practice.

In a public statement, the facility revealed that the couple had earlier undergone a successful IVF procedure under Dr Abebe, resulting in the birth of twin girls three years ago. The latest complaint allegedly stemmed from a 2024 sex selection and surrogacy programme where the surrogate failed to conceive after embryo transfer.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), through the Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA, has thrown its weight behind the embattled doctor. Dr George Ebong, speaking for NMA Chairman FCT, Dr Ayogu Malachy, described Abebe as “an upright man” and vowed that the association would rally support to protect the integrity of medical practice in Nigeria.

“Dr John Abebe is a person we have known for a while. He’s an upright man. The fear we are having is that if we have good people like him being hunted because they are doing their jobs, then the medical practice in Nigeria is going to suffer,” Ebong stated.

The development has sparked intense debate within Abuja’s medical and faith communities, with many calling for a thorough and speedy trial to get to the root of the matter.