On Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) formally served the $345,000 fraud charge against Ezekiel Onyedikachi, the manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, through his lawyer, Monday Ubani (SAN).
Unable to apprehend Ezekiel over the allegation, the EFCC sought and obtained an arrest warrant from the Federal High Court in Lagos last week.
EFCC lawyer Bilikisu Buhari informed Justice Alexander Owoeye that Ezekiel was accused of financial mismanagement, including diverting royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events. She claimed that Ezekiel misappropriated about $345,000 and failed to remit Chinwo’s share.
During the court session on Friday, Ezekiel’s lawyer, Ubani, argued that the EFCC had misled the court into granting the arrest warrant, asserting that the issue was a contractual dispute. He also noted that his client had filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit in another court to prevent his arrest.
Ubani further stated that his client had filed a preliminary objection to the fraud charge and asked the court to revoke the earlier arrest warrant issued against him. He also pointed out that the EFCC had not formally served the charge to his client.
In response, EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari explained that the commission had been unable to arrest Ezekiel since the warrant was issued. She requested the court's permission to serve the charge on Ezekiel's lawyer in open court, adding that the arrest warrant may no longer be necessary, as Ubani had accepted the charge on behalf of his client.
Ubani, having accepted the charges, requested a court date for the hearing of the preliminary objection to the fraud charge.
Justice Owoeye set February 14 for a possible arraignment and hearing of the pending applications.
Meanwhile: Vice President Kashim Shettima has requested a partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to advance the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), which would connect Nigeria to Morocco and other African nations. Read more......
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