A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a warrant for the arrest of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. This decision was made by Justice Alexander Owoeye after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) submitted an ex parte motion accusing Onyedikachukwu of diverting $345,000 in royalties meant for Mercy Chinwo .
The EFCC’s lawyer, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, presented the application, stating that it was brought pursuant to Section 35(1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Buhari sought a court order to issue an arrest warrant, stating, “The warrant would be to compel the manager’s appearance in court to answer to criminal offences he allegedly committed.”
According to the EFCC, Onyedikachukwu allegedly received royalties from Mercy Chinwo’s digital platforms and events without proper disclosure and failed to pay her fair share. The commission’s investigator, Michael Idoko, stated that the EFCC received a petition from Mercy Chinwo accusing her manager of financial misconduct.
The court granted the EFCC’s application and adjourned the matter until January 24, 2025, when Onyedikachukwu will be arraigned. If he cannot be found for arrest, the EFCC will issue a public summons declaring him wanted .
