In a surprising twist in the legal saga involving popular gospel music executive Ezekiel Onyedikachi, widely known as EeZeeTee, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dropped its earlier fraud allegations involving gospel star Mercy Chinwo, and instead arraigned him on charges related to foreign exchange violations and failure to disclose financial transactions.
EFCC Shifts Focus to Forex and Regulatory Breaches
Initially, the EFCC had accused EeZeeTee, Chief Executive of EeZee Global Concept Ltd, of diverting funds belonging to Mercy Chinwo. However, at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, the commission filed an amended eight-count charge centered on unauthorized forex dealings and non-compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
The revised charges allege that between 2022 and 2023, the company failed to report financial activities to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) and engaged in illegal currency transactions. Within that period, EeZee Global reportedly received $255,436 in its corporate account.
Details of the New Charges
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Ezekiel Onyedikachi and EeZee Global Concept Ltd, sometime in June 2023 in Lagos… not being an authorized foreign currency dealer under Section 5(1) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, negotiated a foreign exchange transaction to wit: the naira equivalent of $52,895 with Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.”
Another charge alleges a similar unauthorized forex transaction of $18,775 with one Gift Ugochi Christopher, outside the official market.
EeZeeTee Pleads Not Guilty, Seeks Bail
EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to all eight counts. 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 in liberal terms, stating that both parties were in talks to settle the case amicably out of court.
But EFCC’s counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, objected, insisting that EeZeeTee should be remanded in custody pending a formal bail ruling.
Controversy Over Arrest Warrant and Court Appearance
Presiding Judge Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke sought clarification on the manner of EeZeeTee’s court appearance. The EFCC claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued, but the defence countered, asserting that the defendant had been granted administrative bail and appeared voluntarily.
Ojukwu also argued there was no evidence his client was ever invited and failed to appear.
After hearing both sides, Justice Aneke adjourned ruling on the bail application to May 9, 2025, and ordered that EeZeeTee be released to his counsel in the meantime.
Tension as EFCC Tries to Rearrest EeZeeTee Outside Court
Drama unfolded after the court session when EFCC operatives attempted to rearrest EeZeeTee at the court gate. The situation escalated briefly but was brought under control after a senior EFCC official intervened, allowing the defendant to leave peacefully.
