Federal Government intervenes in medical fraud case

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has taken over the prosecution of an Abuja-based fertility doctor, John Abebe, and two others. The defendants are accused of fraud and the alleged unlawful disclosure of a patient's confidential medical records.

The development brings the Federal Government directly into the prosecution of the case, which centres on allegations of medical confidentiality breaches, fraudulent representation, and the alleged conversion of funds and embryos belonging to patients.

The other defendants in the three-count charge, marked CR/005/2026, are Joje Abebe Facility Centre Limited and Balikis Bakare, who are listed as the second and third defendants respectively. The move by the Attorney General signals the seriousness with which the government is treating the allegations involving medical professional conduct.

Allegations of medical confidentiality breaches

The Federal Government, in the charge, alleged that the defendants unlawfully disclosed the confidential medical records of a patient, Mrs. Mary Manga, without her consent. The prosecution maintains that this alleged disclosure violated the patient's right to medical confidentiality under the provisions of the National Health Act, 2014.

Furthermore, the prosecution alleged that John Abebe breached a confidentiality agreement concerning the reproductive health status of Mrs. Manga's husband. This was reportedly done by attaching confidential medical records to a pre-action demand notice issued through his lawyers.

According to the Federal Government, the documents subsequently became accessible to third parties. The prosecution argues that this development subjected the complainants to significant emotional trauma, placing questions surrounding trust and professional responsibility at the centre of the criminal proceedings.

Financial fraud and embryo conversion claims

The prosecution also raised serious financial allegations against the first defendant, claiming that between January and May 2025, he fraudulently obtained N19 million from the complainants. The government alleges he did so by representing himself as an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) specialist.

Beyond the financial dispute, the Federal Government alleged that John Abebe subsequently converted the money, as well as embryos extracted from the patients, to his personal use. This conduct, according to the prosecution, contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The allegation concerning the embryos is particularly significant as it raises unique questions about the handling of reproductive materials obtained during fertility treatments. These allegations remain matters for determination by the court as the trial progresses.

Current legal status and bail

The Nigeria Police Force initially filed the charge before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. However, the Attorney General of the Federation applied to take over the prosecution, giving the government's chief law officer direct control of the case.

The defendants had earlier been arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Following their plea, Trial Justice A. A. Fashola, in a ruling delivered on March 11, granted the defendants bail pending the determination of the case.

With the AGF now leading the prosecution, attention is expected to shift to the evidence the Federal Government will present to establish its allegations. The prosecution will be required to prove the alleged fraudulent representation, the handling of the embryos, and the unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical records beyond reasonable doubt. Until then, the defendants remain presumed innocent in accordance with the law.