Justice Akeem Fashola of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting at Jabi, Abuja, has granted bail to Dr John Abebe of Joje Fertility Centre Limited in a charge brought against them by the Inspector General of Police.
At the proceedings on Wednesday, 11th March 2026, Dr John Abebe and Joje Fertility Centre Limited were arraigned, and they pleaded not guilty to the three counts charged.
Following the not guilty plea, counsel to Dr John Abebe, Marvin Omorogbe, moved the application for bail and urged the Court to admit the 1st Defendant to bail on very liberal terms
In its ruling, the Court admitted Dr John Abebe to bail, which has been perfected, and the defendant back home with his family.
It will be recalled that one Mr Hassan Turaki had petitioned the Nigeria Police Force, claiming that Dr Abebe disclosed his wifeās medical report in a correspondence to Dr Abebeās lawyer.
However, the management of Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Ltd had, in a public statement, denied all allegations and described the petition and the resulting charge as a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing Dr Abebeās image following over 30 years of excellent medical practice.
The case has been adjourned for the prosecution to open its case.
Speaking with journalists after meeting his bail conditions, Dr. Abebe described the case by his patient as unfounded and unfortunate.
He explained that he had successfully carried a surrogate for the patient, but he came back with male-sex surrogacy, which happened to be the major grievance of the patient.
āThis is the first time we have had the matter in court. Itās rather unfortunate that a patient for whom I have done successful surrogacy would want to tarnish our reputation. ā
In his own remarks, Barrister Omorogbe stressed that the case had been adjourned, and Dr. Abebe was ready for defence.
On his part, Dr George Ebong, President of the Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA, representing the NMA-Chairman FCT, Dr Ayogu Malachy, raised alarm over the impact of such an allegation on the Nigerian medical profession.
He noted that the association has vowed to rally behind Dr Abebe to safeguard the profession.
āDr. John Abebe is a person we have known for a while. Heās an upright man. The fear we are having is that if we have good people like him being hunted because they are doing their jobs, then the medical practice in Nigeria is going to suffer. I believe justice would be handed in favour of Dr Abebe, and NMA is solidly behind him. ā
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