In a surprising twist, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cleared gospel singer Mercy Chinwo of any involvement in the ongoing fraud case against prominent gospel music executive, Ezekiel Onyedikachi, also known as EeZeeTee. Initially, the EFCC had accused EeZeeTee, the CEO of EeZee Global Concept Ltd, of misappropriating Chinwo’s earnings, but this accusation was dropped as the case evolved.
During a court session on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the EFCC presented an updated set of charges against EeZeeTee, shifting the focus from alleged fraud to violations of financial regulations. The new charges consist of eight counts, accusing EeZeeTee of failing to disclose crucial financial dealings and engaging in illegal foreign exchange transactions between 2022 and 2023.
The EFCC claims that EeZee Global Concept Ltd received over $255,000 without properly reporting the transactions to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering. The commission further alleges that EeZeeTee was involved in unauthorized foreign exchange dealings in June 2023, negotiating $52,895 with an individual not authorized by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Another foreign exchange deal worth $18,775 was also conducted outside the official market.
EeZeeTee has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his legal team, led by Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), has already filed a bail application. Ojukwu requested that the court grant bail on liberal terms, revealing that both parties were in talks for an out-of-court settlement. However, EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari opposed the bail request, arguing that the defendant should remain in custody pending the decision on the bail application.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, presiding over the case, sought clarification on how EeZeeTee arrived at the court, as the EFCC claimed an arrest warrant was issued. Ojukwu countered, stating that his client had been granted administrative bail and had appeared voluntarily.
The court adjourned the ruling on bail to May 9, 2025, but EeZeeTee was released to his lawyer in the interim. Outside the courtroom, tension escalated as EFCC operatives attempted to re-arrest the defendant. The situation was defused when a senior EFCC official intervened, allowing EeZeeTee to leave the courthouse without further incident.
