Mercy Chinwo’s name removed as EFCC refocuses charges against EeZee Tee

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made a significant adjustment to its legal approach in the case against Nigerian gospel music executive Ezekiel Onyedikachi, widely known as EeZee Tee. In a revised seven-count charge filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, the commission has formally excluded any claims involving gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, redirecting its focus toward alleged regulatory offenses.

Earlier proceedings had accused the EeZee Global Concept Limited boss of unlawfully diverting funds belonging to Chinwo. However, the latest filing no longer includes the gospel star, instead centering on claims of financial non-disclosure and unauthorized foreign exchange dealings.

As outlined in the updated charges, EeZee Tee and his company are alleged to have bypassed financial reporting protocols between 2022 and 2023. During that time, the company reportedly received over $255,000 into its corporate account without submitting the required disclosures to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML).

One of the charges states:
"That you, Ezekiel Onyedikachi and EeZee Global Concept Ltd, sometime in June 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, not being an authorized buyer of foreign currency appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Section 5(1) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, CAP F34 LFN 2004, negotiated a foreign exchange transaction to wit: the naira equivalent of the sum of $52,895 with Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke."

The anti-graft agency also alleges that the company engaged in a separate unauthorized transaction involving $18,775 with a certain Gift Ugochi Christopher, carried out outside the confines of the official forex market.

Upon taking his plea, EeZee Tee pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Lead defence counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the EFCC. He urged the presiding judge to consider a liberal bail condition, revealing that both parties were currently exploring an out-of-court settlement.

However, prosecution counsel Bilikisu Buhari opposed the bail motion, arguing that the defendant should remain in custody until the application is decided.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who is handling the matter, inquired about the nature of EeZee Tee’s court appearance. The EFCC claimed an arrest warrant was issued, but this was swiftly disputed by Ojukwu, who maintained that his client had neither evaded any invitation nor required compulsion to attend.

According to Ojukwu, “The EFCC has not provided evidence that my client was invited and failed to respond. He appeared in court today based on administrative bail already granted.”

After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Aneke postponed his decision on the bail request to May 9, 2025. He ordered that the defendant be temporarily released to the custody of his counsel.

Tensions rose briefly outside the courtroom as EFCC operatives attempted to detain EeZee Tee once more at the court entrance. The situation was diffused following the intervention of a senior EFCC officer, allowing the defendant to leave without further disturbance.