By Deborah Nnamdi
In a surprising turn in the legal case involving renowned gospel music executive Ezekiel Onyedikachi, popularly known as EeZeeTee, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn its initial allegations of misappropriating gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s earnings. Instead, the agency has now arraigned him on charges related to the non-disclosure of his company’s financial dealings.
Previously, the EFCC had accused the EeZee Global Concept Ltd CEO of diverting funds owed to Chinwo. However, in a shift of strategy, the agency filed an amended eight-count charge on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, focusing on regulatory violations involving foreign exchange operations and failure to report company income.
The revised charges allege that between 2022 and 2023, EeZeeTee engaged in unauthorized foreign exchange transactions and failed to file required financial disclosures with the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML). During this time, his company reportedly received $255,436 into its corporate account.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Ezekiel Onyedikachi and EeZee Global Concept Ltd, sometime in June 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, not being an authorized buyer of foreign currency appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Section 5(1) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, CAP F34 LFN 2004, negotiated a foreign exchange transaction to wit: the naira equivalent of the sum of $52,895 with Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.”
The EFCC also accused EeZeeTee and his company of carrying out another foreign exchange transaction worth $18,775 with one Gift Ugochi Christopher, bypassing the official forex market.
Upon his arraignment, EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lead counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the EFCC. He urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, noting that both parties were actively engaging in out-of-court settlement discussions.
However, EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari opposed the bail request, asking that the defendant be remanded in custody until the court rules on the application.
Presiding Judge Chukwujekwu Aneke then sought clarity on the defendant’s court appearance. In response, the EFCC stated that a warrant for EeZeeTee’s arrest had been issued. But Ojukwu refuted the claim, explaining that his client had been granted administrative bail and appeared voluntarily. He also argued that the EFCC had not shown any evidence of a formal invitation that his client had failed to honor.
After hearing both sides, Justice Aneke postponed the ruling on the bail application to May 9, 2025. In the meantime, he ordered that EeZeeTee be released to his legal counsel.
Tensions briefly escalated after the court session when EFCC operatives attempted to re-arrest the defendant at the court’s gate. The situation was eventually de-escalated following the intervention of a senior EFCC official, allowing EeZeeTee to leave without further incident.
