The order was issued on January 16, 2025, by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, following an ex parte brought by the EFCC seeking the arrest of Onyedikachukwu.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Ezekiel is accused of involvement in a $345,000 fraud. An order was previously issued for the immediate arrest of Dr. Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the former manager of Mercy Chinwo, over an alleged diversion of $345,000 USD.
The order was issued on January 16, 2025, by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, following an ex parte brought by the EFCC seeking the arrest of Onyedikachukwu.
The counsel representing the EFCC, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari informed the court of an application brought before it by the anti-graft agency and subsequently moved the application seeking the arrest of the musician’s manager.
Mrs. Buhari revealed that after several unsuccessful attempts to apprehend Onyedikachukwu, the arrest warrant would enable the EFCC to detain him to address allegations of diverting $345,000 in royalties earned from Mercy Chinwo’s musical works.
She stated that Mercy Chinwo’s manager had been collecting royalties from digital platforms and events without informing the singer.
It was further alleged that Onyedikachukwu misappropriated $345,000, withholding the gospel singer’s rightful share.
However, during Friday’s proceedings, the EFCC lawyer, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, requested the withdrawal of the arrest warrant.
She explained that the charges had already been served to Onyedikachukwu’s legal counsel, Monday Ubani, SAN, in open court, making the warrant unnecessary.
Justice Owoeye approved the withdrawal of the bench warrant following the submission.
