A Christian cleric and medical consultant has been arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, for alleged fraudulent and illegal leak of a patient’s medical records.
The fertility specialist and pastor of Living Faith Church, Dr. John Abebe, was arraigned over alleged fraud and unlawful disclosure of patients’ confidential medical records.
A consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Abebe and his medical facility, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, have been arraigned before Justice A. A. Fashola on a three-count charge bordering on fraud, criminal conspiracy and breach of patient confidentiality.
The prosecution alleged that the doctor illegally released the confidential medical records of a patient, Mrs. Mary Manga, and her husband, without their consent, allegedly in violation of provisions of the National Health Act 2014.
According to court documents, the offence allegedly occurred in Abuja, where Abebe, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, was accused of exposing the couple’s private medical information to third parties.
He is also accused of defrauding the couple of ₦19 million between January and May 2025 under the pretext of providing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment.
Prosecutors alleged that he falsely presented himself as an IVF specialist and converted the funds for personal use.
The charges further claim that the doctor breached a confidentiality agreement by attaching sensitive medical details about the husband’s fertility status to legal documents, which were later circulated.
Another allegation is that he converted both the couple’s money and some of their embryos for personal use.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the National Health Act 2014 and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
When the charges were read in court, Abebe and his hospital pleaded not guilty.
Justice Fashola granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum.
The court also ordered that the surety must be a professional working with a verifiable organisation.
The case was adjourned until April 2, 2026, for trial.
Sources said the fertility specialist had already met the bail conditions and returned home.
Meanwhile, the management of Joje Fertility Centre has denied the allegations, describing the petition and criminal charges as a smear campaign aimed at damaging the doctor’s reputation after more than 30 years of medical practice.
