A federal high court in Lagos has issued an arrest warrant for Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the former manager of gospel artist Mercy Chinwo.
The order was issued Thursday by presiding judge Alexander Owoeye in response to an ex parte request submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In support of the application, Bilikisu Buhari, who was representing the EFCC in court, cited Section 35(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution as well as Sections 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
In order to guarantee Onyedikachukwu’s appearance in court to answer to alleged criminal charges, Buhari contended that the arrest warrant was required.
In an affidavit supporting the application, the EFCC said it received a petition from Chinwo against the manager.
The affidavit, deposed by Michael Idoko, an EFCC investigator, said the singer accused her manager of receiving royalties from her digital platforms and events without disclosing the transactions.
According to the EFCC, Chinwo claimed that the manager diverted approximately $345,000 without remitting her share.
The commission added that efforts to arrest the manager were unsuccessful, prompting the application for a warrant of arrest.
Buhari added that if the manager could not be apprehended, the EFCC would resort to a public summons to declare him wanted.
The court granted the application and adjourned the case to January 24 for Onyedikachukwu’s arraignment.
Onyedikachukwu is the founder of record label EeZee Conceptz. Chinwo was signed to the label in 2017 after winning the second season of the Nigerian Idol.
In September 2022, there were reports that Chinwo left Eezee Conceptz due to a disagreement over financial matters.
