Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Lagos Federal High Court has postponed ruling on the bail application of Mr. Ezekiel. The decision is now set for May 9, 2025. Ezekiel faces charges of illegal foreign exchange transactions and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the case. Prosecutor Mrs. Buhari-Bala said Ezekiel broke the law in June 2023. According to her, he conducted a $52,895 forex deal with Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke. He allegedly acted without approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The EFCC claims this violates Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Act.
More Allegations Surface
The EFCC accused Ezekiel of further illegal forex dealings. In March 2021, he and his company, Eezee Global Concepts, allegedly moved $70,000 to Avalan Chetrase 1307 Company. In October 2022, he reportedly transferred $18,775 to Gift Ugochi Christopher. The agency also claims Ezekiel and his company failed to report financial transactions to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML). Investigators say the company received undeclared funds totaling:
- $65,703 in 2022
- $52,350 in 2023
- $137,383 in 2024
All transactions allegedly went through a Zenith Bank account: 5070522520. These charges fall under Sections 6(1)(a) and 19(1)(f) of the 2022 Money Laundering Act.
In court, Ezekiel pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, asked for bail. He told the court Ezekiel is the sole caregiver for two sick children. He asked for bail on liberal terms. The EFCC opposed the request. The agency argued Ezekiel had avoided service and has an active arrest warrant. Instead of bail, the EFCC asked for a fast-tracked trial.
Justice Aneke did not rule on the bail immediately. But he allowed Ezekiel to go home with his lawyer temporarily. The judge will deliver the bail ruling on May 9. The case remains ongoing.
