The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally served the alleged $345,000 fraud charge against Ezekiel Onyedikachi, manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, on his lawyer, Monday Ubani (SAN).
The EFCC had previously obtained an arrest warrant against Ezekiel from the Federal High Court in Lagos, citing allegations of financial mismanagement, including diverting royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events.
During Friday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari informed the court that the defendant had yet to be arrested. She then sought permission to serve the charge on Ezekiel’s lawyer in open court, a request that was granted.
Ubani argued that the EFCC misled the court in securing the arrest warrant, stating that the case was a contractual dispute rather than a criminal matter. He also revealed that his client had filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit against the EFCC to prevent his arrest and had submitted a preliminary objection to the fraud charge.
Justice Alexander Owoeye scheduled February 14 for the possible arraignment of Ezekiel and the hearing of pending applications related to the case.
