EFCC secures arrest warrant for EezeeTee over Mercy Chinwo’s $340,000 royalties

• EFCC issued a bench warrant against Ezekiel Thankgod (EezeeTee) over alleged $340,000 royalty fraud involving gospel singer Mercy Chinwo
• Despite multiple scheduled hearings, EezeeTee has failed to appear in court
• Justice Alexander Owoeye ruled that the court would not hear any objections until EezeeTee appears in person

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a warrant for the arrest of Ezekiel Thankgod, popularly known as EezeeTee, over allegations of laundering and dishonestly converting $340,000 in royalties meant for gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ruled that Thankgod must appear in court for his arraignment, setting March 6, 2025, as the next hearing date. 

The EFCC accused the former manager of Mercy Chinwo and CEO of Eezee Global Concepts Limited of financial mismanagement, including diverting royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events.

Repeated failure to appear in court

The court initially issued a bench warrant for EezeeTee’s arrest on January 16, 2025, after multiple failed attempts by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate to serve him with charges. 

When the case was scheduled for arraignment on January 24, 2025, Thankgod did not appear in court. 

Instead, his lawyer, Dr Monday Ubani (SAN), received the charges on his behalf and filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the case was a contractual dispute rather than a criminal matter.

Ubani further revealed that his client had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC in a different court to prevent his arrest. 

He urged the court to vacate the arrest warrant, citing that Thankgod had not been directly served with the charges. 

However, the EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, countered that the defendant had deliberately evaded service and should be compelled to appear.

On February 14, 2025, when the case was set for hearing, proceedings did not hold as the court did not sit. 

At the next hearing, on February 17, 2025, Thankgod was once again absent, with his lawyer citing a domestic accident as the reason for his non-appearance.

Court rejects defence objections

During the February 17 hearing, the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), insisted that the business of the day was the defendant’s arraignment. 

However, Ubani objected, stating that his client had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Owoeye ruled that the court could not hear any application until the defendant personally appeared for arraignment. 

The judge stated, “I will not hear the application; the defendant has to come to court for his arraignment.”

Oyedepo, citing legal precedents, described Thankgod’s continued absence as a "show of shame and outright disrespect for the court." 

He recalled that after missing his January 24 arraignment, the defendant was seen within the court premises giving media interviews but still refused to appear before the judge.

Further discrediting the defence's claims, Oyedepo questioned the legitimacy of Thankgod’s alleged domestic accident, highlighting that no medical report or video evidence was provided to support the claim.

Date set for arraignment

Following arguments from both sides, the EFCC requested the court to enforce the arrest warrant to ensure Thankgod's appearance. 

Although Ubani objected, he gave a personal undertaking to produce his client on the next adjourned date.

Justice Owoeye upheld the subsisting bench warrant and adjourned the case until March 6, 2025, for the defendant’s arraignment. 

The EFCC has maintained that Thankgod must personally appear in court to answer for the allegations against him.

EeZee Tee fires back at Mercy Chinwo, denies allegations of bullying

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the feud between gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZee Tee, took a new turn. The Eezee Tee Conceptz’ boss responded to Mercy's allegations, denying that he bullied her and revealing new details about their feud.

According to EeZee Tee in an open address, it was Mercy who took him to court in 2023, resulting in his bank account being frozen. He alleged that Mercy threatened to destroy him and his record label, contrary to her claims. He implored netizens to focus on facts and ignore emotions or sentiments to avoid being misled.