The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EezeeTee

  • BREAKING: Court grants EeZeeTee ₦20m bail

    BREAKING: Court grants EeZeeTee ₦20m bail

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted ₦20 million bail to music producer and former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, Ezekiel Onyedikachi, popularly known as EeZeeTee, over a fresh $255,000 foreign transaction fraud allegation filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    In a brief ruling on Friday, Justice Aneke ruled that the bail must be secured with one surety who resides in Lagos and owns property equivalent in value to the bail amount. The judge, who had earlier released EeZeeTee to his lawyer, Ojukwu Chikaosolu, gave the defendant 72 hours to meet the terms.

    The EFCC originally filed a 14-count charge against EeZeeTee for allegedly converting funds fraudulently but later reduced the charges to seven, accusing him of conducting forex transactions without a valid license.

    Read Also: EFCC drops Mercy Chinwo’s name from amended charges against EeZeeTee

    EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari-Bala informed the court that in June 2023, EeZeeTee allegedly carried out a $52,895 forex transaction with one Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke without the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    She said the act contravenes Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 29(2) of the same law.

    EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty. The matter has been adjourned to June 20, 2025, for trial.

  • Eezeetee snubs journalists after court case

    Eezeetee snubs journalists after court case

    A mild drama unfolded after the court proceedings on Thursday as Eezeetee made a swift exit to avoid media scrutiny.

    Journalists from various media outlets gathered outside the courtroom, poised to capture reactions from the parties involved. 

    Read Also: EFCC vs. EeZee Tee: Court halts arraignment, adjourns case to May 14

    But Eezeetee abruptly left the scene, dodging cameras and leaving reporters scrambling to document the moment.

    The case, which has drawn significant public attention, has been adjourned to May 14 for further proceedings.

  • You must appear before court to defend yourself – EFCC tells EezeeTee

    You must appear before court to defend yourself – EFCC tells EezeeTee

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has insisted that EezeeTee, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, must appear in court to defend himself against allegations of financial misconduct.

    In a statement on its official X handle, the anti-graft agency stated that EezeeTee is required to appear before Justice A. O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.

    The case involves allegations of misappropriated royalties amounting to $340,000.

    The statement reads: “Justice A.O. Owoeye of Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, on Monday, February 17, 2025 held that Mr. Ezekiel Thankgod must appear in court to take his plea and adjourned till March 6, 2025 for his arraignment.

    “Mr. Thankgod, ex-manager of gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo has consistently evaded arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prompting a warrant of arrest to be issued on him by the court during January 16, 2025 proceedings.

    Read Also: 94-year-old man registers for 2025 UTME to study political science in UI

    “Thankgod is to be arraigned on a three-count charge, bordering on money laundering and dishonest conversion to the tune of $340,000.

    “One of the charges reads: “That EZEKIEL ONYEDIKACHUKWU THANKGOD and EEZEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS LIMITED sometime in 2023, directly retained the sum of $260,494 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety-Four USD) in EEZEE GLOBAL MINISTRY Zenith Bank Plc account number, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity, the dishonest conversion of the said sum, property of Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo.”

    “The offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

    “The bench warrant of January 16, 2025 for his arrest followed an application by the prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, who informed the court that the prosecution has been unable to effect service of the charges on him as he had been unreachable.

    “On January 24, 2025, defence counsel, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN had to accept service on behalf of the defendant, but pointed to a preliminary objection challenging the charges.

    “Justice Owoeye subsequently adjourned till, Monday, February 17, 2025 for the defendant’s arraignment. Yet, he remained absent and was again, represented by his counsel.”