The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has taken over the prosecution of Abuja-based fertility doctor, Dr John Abebe, and two other defendants facing allegations of fraud and unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records.

Abebe is being prosecuted alongside Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited and Balikis Bakare in a three-count charge before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the Federal Government, the defendants allegedly disclosed the confidential medical records of a patient, Mrs Mary Manga, without her consent, in violation of provisions of the National Health Act, 2014.

The prosecution also alleged that Abebe breached a confidentiality agreement concerning the reproductive health status of Manga’s husband by attaching his confidential medical records to a pre-action demand notice issued through his lawyers.

The government said the disclosure exposed the documents to third parties and allegedly caused emotional trauma to the complainants.

The case is linked to earlier allegations that Abebe collected about ₦19 million from the couple for IVF treatment and allegedly converted the funds to his personal use. Prosecutors have also accused him of allegedly selling the couple’s developed embryos to other patients.

Abebe and his medical facility have pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The court had previously adjourned proceedings in the matter as the parties dealt with pending legal applications.

The allegations remain unproven unless established in court.