The arraignment of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, CEO of EeZee Conceptz, has been scheduled for February 14 after the Federal High Court in Lagos vacated an earlier arrest warrant issued against him.
The court approved the service of the criminal charge to Onyedikachukwu’s counsel, Monday Ubani (SAN), during Friday’s proceedings.
The music executive faces allegations of illegally converting $443,371 in royalties, reportedly owed to two former artists under his label, gospel singers Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo (popularly known as JudiKay),
into his company’s account.
Onyedikachukwu is also accused of receiving payments from digital platforms and events without notifying the singers, allegedly diverting $345,000 of Chinwo’s royalties without her consent.
Last week, Justice Alexander Owoeye had granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an ex parte application for Onyedikachukwu’s arrest to compel his court appearance. However, during Friday’s session, Onyedikachukwu was absent, and his counsel filed two motions.
The first motion sought to set aside the arrest warrant, arguing that it was issued based on one-sided arguments presented by the EFCC. The second motion challenged the criminal charge, claiming the matter was a civil dispute and urging the court to rule on these applications before the defendant is arraigned.
Ubani further alleged that EFCC operatives were waiting at the court premises to arrest his client and sought an order restraining the agency from carrying out any arrest until the warrant issue was resolved. He also informed the court that the EFCC had evaded service of a suit filed to enforce Onyedikachukwu’s fundamental human rights and accused the agency of threatening to shoot anyone attempting to serve court processes.
However, the EFCC’s counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, denied the allegations, stating that the agency had just received the defense’s motions and needed time to respond. She maintained that the defense’s applications were attempts to overturn a valid court order. Buhari also noted that the court could not assume jurisdiction over the matter until the defendant had been arraigned.
The EFCC further proposed to vacate the arrest warrant if Onyedikachukwu’s counsel agreed to accept the charge sheet on his behalf. Ubani subsequently accepted the documents in open court, and the court adjourned the matter to February 14 for further proceedings.
Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Onyedikachukwu alleged that Mercy Chinwo violated her contractual obligations, including failing to deliver a third album and withholding event and digital revenue owed to the label. He also claimed he was coerced into transferring $274,000 to the singer while in EFCC custody.
