The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZeeTee, the former manager of popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, over alleged money laundering and illegal foreign exchange transactions worth $255,436.
He was brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, along with his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited.
The EFCC had earlier accused him of mismanaging funds belonging to the singer, but that charge was dropped. Instead, he now faces a seven-count charge related to foreign exchange deals done without a Central Bank of Nigeria licence, and failing to report company earnings to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering.
According to EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, one of the charges is that the defendant negotiated a foreign exchange deal of $52,895 in June 2023 with one Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke, without being authorised by the CBN.
She said this violated sections of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions Act and is punishable under the law.
Other charges include similar foreign exchange deals in 2021, 2022, and 2024, involving amounts such as $70,000, $18,775, and $137,383. The EFCC also accused him of failing to declare these transactions as required by anti-money laundering laws.
Onyedikachukwu pleaded not guilty to all charges.
EFCC’s lawyer asked the court to remand him in prison custody pending trial. But his lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), told the court he had already filed a bail request.
Ojukwu also said his client is the only one available to take care of his two sick children and urged the court to release him on liberal bail terms.
“We are also in talks with the EFCC to settle the matter out of court,” he added.
However, the EFCC opposed the bail request, saying the defendant had earlier evaded service of the charges and still had an outstanding arrest warrant.
“My lord, this defendant has been evading service, and there is still a subsisting arrest warrant against him. He does not deserve to be granted bail,” Buhari-Bala argued.
But Ojukwu responded that his client was granted administrative bail and appeared in court willingly. He said the EFCC had not shown any proof that his client ignored any official invitation.
After hearing both sides, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke adjourned ruling on the bail application until May 9. He ordered that the defendant be temporarily released to his lawyer.
There was some drama after the court sitting when EFCC officials tried to re-arrest Onyedikachukwu outside the courtroom. The situation was later resolved, and he was allowed to leave peacefully.
