Alleged IVF fraud: No fresh charge against medical doctor, others – Counsel

The lawyers of Dr John Abebe, who is facing trial over alleged IVF fraud, have dismissed reports that fresh charges have been filed against the physician and his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited.

Abebe, who is also a pastor with Living Faith Church AKA, Winners Chapel Durumi, Abuja, is being tried by the Inspector General of Police before a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court.

In an update on the case, Abebe’s lawyers, Deji Adeyanju & partners, dismissed reports that fresh criminal charges have been filed in the case.

The law firm, while clarifying the matter, also condemned what it described as media trial of the medical doctor.

It noted that there is an agenda to convict the doctor in the court of public opinion, even when the case has not been determined.

The lawyers emphasised that allegations contained in a criminal charge against any person remain allegations until determined by a competent court on the basis of admissible evidence.

“We are Counsel to Dr. John Abebe in the ongoing judicial proceedings pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, wherein a certain Mr. Adamu Hassan Turaki and his wife, Mrs Mary Manga Turaki, are the nominal complainants.

“There are misleading reports alleging that a fresh criminal charge has been filed against our client & 2 ors.

“We wish to unequivocally state that no fresh criminal charge has been instituted against our client. The correct position is that a few months ago, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation took over the prosecution of the same Charge No. CR/005/26 from the Police,” the law firm said.

It added that an amended charge that was file in the case had not been moved in court.

The counsel added that unverified narratives on the case could undermine the integrity of the judicial process and prejudice public perception of pending proceedings.

“They are also observably calculated to furtively achieve an unwarranted reputational damage to persons who remain entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence.

“We emphasise that allegations contained in a criminal charge remain allegations until determined by a competent court on the basis of admissible evidence.

“Continuing with the trend hints at a resolve to secure conviction in the court of public opinion rather than in the court room,” the lawyers added.

In three-count charge, Abebe is accused of unlawfully releasing the confidential medical records of Mrs Mary Manga and her husband to the public without her consent — an offence said to contravene Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.

In addition to the alleged breach of medical confidentiality, prosecutors claim that between January and May 2025, Abebe, described as a chief consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, allegedly collected the sum of N10 million from the couple for In Vitro Fertilisation, IVF.

The charge alleged that the money was converted to personal use, in contravention of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.