THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally charged Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the former manager of popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, with alleged money laundering involving $255,446.
Onyedikachukwu, widely known as EeZeeTee, appeared before the Federal High Court in Lagos alongside his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited.
They face a revised seven-count charge related to unauthorized foreign exchange transactions and failure to report earnings, replacing earlier accusations of misappropriating Chinwo’s funds.
EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari-Bala informed the court that in June 2023, Onyedikachukwu engaged in a $52,895 foreign exchange deal with an individual named Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke without being a licensed dealer as required by the Central Bank of Nigeria. This act reportedly violated specific sections of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
Further allegations revealed that between 2022 and 2023, Onyedikachukwu’s company conducted several unlicensed forex transactions, receiving over $255,000 in its corporate account, while failing to register with the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML).
The defendant pleaded not guilty. While the EFCC asked that he be remanded in prison custody, his lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), sought bail, citing the poor health of Onyedikachukwu’s children and requesting his temporary release.
Ojukwu also disclosed ongoing out-of-court settlement discussions.
The EFCC objected, noting that Onyedikachukwu had previously evaded arrest and still had a valid warrant issued against him.
Despite these claims, the defence argued that the EFCC had not shown proof of any ignored summons and that the defendant had honored all bail conditions.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke postponed ruling on the bail request to May 9, 2025, but temporarily released Onyedikachukwu to his counsel.
A minor incident occurred after the court session when EFCC agents attempted to re-arrest the defendant, but the situation was quickly resolved, allowing him to leave peacefully.
The charges against Onyedikachukwu include conducting foreign exchange deals worth $52,895 in 2023 and $70,000 in 2021 without CBN authorization, both in violation of federal law.
