Abuja fertility case: Defence counsels warn against misrepresentation of facts

Counsel representing Abuja-based fertility specialist Dr. John Abebe has raised concerns over reports and social media content he described as misleading and prejudicial regarding ongoing court proceedings involving the doctor and his clinic, Joje Abebe Fertility Center Ltd.

Marvin Omorogbe, founding partner at Deji Adeyanju & Partners, issued a statement on Thursday noting that multiple publications had mischaracterized what occurred in court.

Dr. Abebe is facing a legal dispute before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, with Adamu Hassan Turaki named as the complainant.

In a statement titled “Public Statement on the Ongoing Judicial Proceedings Involving Dr. John Abebe and Joje Abebe Fertility Center Ltd,” Omorogbe stressed that his client had been unfairly depicted as guilty even though the case remains under judicial review.

“Our attention has been drawn to a series of coordinated publications and social media campaign concerning the said proceedings, many of which convey the false and prejudicial impression that our client is guilty, notwithstanding the fact the matter is currently pending before a court of competent jurisdiction,” Omorogbe said.

While acknowledging the press’s essential role in reporting court matters, the lawyer emphasized that some online coverage had strayed beyond accurate reporting.

“While we fully recognise and respect the constitutional role of the press in reporting judicial proceedings, we are constrained to issue this statement because several of the reports circulating online materially misrepresent what transpired in court and are accompanied by sensational and defamatory headlines,” he added.

Omorogbe pointed out that such reporting threatens the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence.

He said the publications “disregard the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

The lawyer called on media houses, bloggers, and the public to act responsibly when discussing the case.

“In the light of the foregoing, we hereby urge members of the public, particularly media organisations and online platforms to exercise restraint and professionalism in their reportage of the ongoing judicial proceedings,” he said.

He reiterated that the matter is still before the court and should be allowed to follow its proper legal course without being influenced by what he termed “trial by media.”