The Federal High Court in Lagos has maintained the bench warrant issued against Ezekiel Onyedikachi (a.k.a. Eezeetee), the manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, over an alleged $345,000 fraud.

Allegations and Court Proceedings

The bench warrant was initially issued on January 16, 2025, following a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest Onyedikachi over allegations of financial mismanagement, including the diversion of royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events. The case was adjourned to January 24, 2025, for arraignment, but Onyedikachi failed to appear in court.

His legal counsel, Dr. Monday Ubani (SAN), argued that the arrest warrant was unjustified, claiming the case was a contractual dispute, not a criminal offense. Ubani further informed the court that Onyedikachi had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the EFCC in another court to stop his arrest.

Ubani also pointed out that his client had not been officially served any charge by the EFCC. In response, the EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, informed the court that the commission had been unable to arrest Onyedikachi since the initial bench warrant was issued. The court then permitted the EFCC to serve the charges directly to Onyedikachi’s lawyer in open court.

Ubani accepted service of the charges but requested time to argue a preliminary objection against the fraud allegations. The court scheduled the next hearing for February 14, 2025, for possible arraignment and pending applications. However, the case was delayed as the court did not sit on that date.

Onyedikachi’s Absence Sparks Courtroom Tension

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Onyedikachi was absent, with his lawyer citing a domestic accident as the reason for his absence. The EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), emphasized that the day’s business was Onyedikachi’s arraignment, urging the court to proceed.

Ubani objected, arguing that Onyedikachi’s plea could not be taken until the preliminary objection was resolved. He also withdrew an earlier preliminary objection filed on January 22, 2025, while maintaining another filed on January 31, 2025, which challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

However, Justice Alexander Owoeye declined to hear the application, stating that the court had not yet assumed jurisdiction because the defendant’s plea had not been taken.

“I will not hear the application. The defendant has to come to court for his arraignment,” Justice Owoeye ruled.

EFCC Condemns Onyedikachi’s Absence and Seeks Enforcement of Arrest Warrant

Citing provisions of Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Oyedepo described Onyedikachi’s repeated absence as a “show of shame” and “outright disrespect” for the court.

“It is on record that the prosecution obtained a warrant of arrest on January 16, 2025, and adjourned till January 24 for the arraignment of the defendant, but he failed to appear. After the court’s proceedings that day, this same defendant, who refused to respect the court, was seen granting media interviews within the court premises in the presence of his counsel.”

Oyedepo further criticized the lack of medical proof for Onyedikachi’s alleged domestic accident, arguing that without a medical report or video evidence, the claim was unsubstantiated. He urged the court to reaffirm the bench warrant to compel Onyedikachi’s presence in court, stressing the need to protect the court’s integrity.

Court Adjourns Case to March 6 for Arraignment

Despite the EFCC’s push for immediate action, Onyedikachi’s lawyer objected to the issuance of another bench warrant, assuring the court that he would personally ensure his client’s appearance at the next hearing.

The court adjourned the case until March 6, 2025, for Onyedikachi’s arraignment.

This case continues to unfold, with legal experts closely monitoring how the court will handle the serious fraud allegations and Onyedikachi’s failure to appear in court as scheduled.