Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has officially assumed control of the legal proceedings against John Abebe, a fertility specialist based in Abuja. The charges, which also name Joje Abebe Facility Centre Limited and Balikis Bakare as co-defendants, involve allegations of fraud and the unauthorized disclosure of private medical information.
Prosecutors claim the accused violated the National Health Act of 2014 by sharing the confidential medical data of Mrs. Mary Manga without her permission. Furthermore, the doctor is accused of violating a confidentiality agreement by including sensitive documents regarding the husband’s reproductive health in a legal notice, which led to third-party access and significant distress for the couple.
The third count alleges that Dr. Abebe deceived the complainants between January and May 2025, claiming to be an IVF specialist to obtain N19 million. The government contends that he misappropriated these funds and personal embryos for his own benefit, violating the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006. While the case originated with the Nigeria Police Force, the AGF has now stepped in to lead the prosecution. The defendants have denied all charges and were granted bail by Justice A. A. Fashola on March 11.
