Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled February 14, 2025, for the potential arraignment of Ezekiel ThankGod, the former manager of gospel artist Mercy Chinwo, over allegations of a $345,000 fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had sought Ezekiel’s arrest on January 16, 2025, accusing him of financial impropriety, including withholding royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events.
EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari alleged that Ezekiel diverted funds and failed to remit Chinwo’s rightful earnings.
When the case was presented on Friday, Ezekiel’s lawyer, Monday Ubani, SAN, contested the arrest warrant, describing it as unjustified.
He argued that the case was a contractual matter rather than a criminal one and revealed that Ezekiel had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit to halt his arrest.
Ubani further disclosed that his client had lodged a preliminary objection to the charges and urged the court to withdraw the arrest warrant.
Additionally, he noted that Ezekiel had not been formally served with the charges.
Responding to Ubani’s claims, the EFCC’s counsel highlighted the commission’s difficulty in executing the arrest warrant and sought permission to serve the charges directly to Ezekiel’s lawyer in court.
She added that with Ubani’s acceptance of the charges, the arrest warrant might no longer be necessary.
Ubani accepted the charges on behalf of his client and requested the court to set a date for hearing the preliminary objection.
After considering submissions from both parties, Justice Owoeye stated, “In the light of the defendant’s lawyer having accepted service of the charges and the preliminary objection against the charge, the court would adjourn to decide on the pending application.”
The judge subsequently adjourned proceedings to February 14, 2025, for the hearing of the pending applications and possible arraignment.
