16th January, 2025
By Sandra Umeh
Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday granted a motion ex parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a warrant of arrest against Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The EFCC’s lawyer, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, informed the court of the application when the case was called on Thursday.
Buhari informed the court that the application was brought pursuant to Section 35(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The counsel subsequently moved the application, seeking an order to issue a warrant of arrest against the manager.
She stated that the warrant was necessary to compel the manager’s appearance in court to answer to criminal offences he allegedly committed.
Buhari further submitted that if the commission was unable to arrest the manager, it would proceed with a public summons to declare him wanted.
The court granted the application and adjourned the case until January 24 for the arraignment of the manager.
In an affidavit in support of the application, the EFCC stated that it received a petition from Mercy Chinwo against the manager.
The affidavit, deposed to by Mr. Michael Idoko, an investigator with the commission, claimed that Mercy Chinwo alleged that her manager had been receiving royalties from all her digital platforms and events without disclosure.
According to the EFCC, the gospel singer accused the manager of diverting approximately $345,000 without remitting her share.
The commission noted that efforts to arrest the manager had been unsuccessful, necessitating the application for a warrant of arrest.
The court adjourned the case to January 24 for the manager’s arraignment. (NAN)