Fraud Trial of Mercy Chinwo’s Ex-Manager Postponed After Failure to Appear in Court

• Mercy Chinwo’s Ex-Manager, EeZee Tee’s fraud trial was postponed due to his absence.
• The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
• The case is adjourned until March 6 for arraignment.

The trial of Ezekiel Onyedikachi, former manager of Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, was delayed on Monday as he failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Lagos for the third consecutive time.

Onyedikachi, also known as EeZee Tee, is facing charges of fraudulent conversion of $345,000 in royalties belonging to Chinwo.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that during the hearing, Onyedikachi’s lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, informed the court that his client had been involved in a car accident earlier that morning, which prevented his appearance.

Ubani assured the court that Onyedikachi would be available for the next hearing scheduled for March 6. He also requested the opportunity to move a preliminary objection, but this was declined by the court, as it had not yet taken the defendant’s plea.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Rotimi Oyedepo, objected to the defense’s request, citing the defendant’s repeated absences as a sign of disrespect for the court.

Oyedepo, invoking Sections 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, urged the judge to issue a bench warrant to compel Onyedikachi’s appearance, maintaining that the court’s integrity needed protection.

Despite the defense’s objections, Justice Alexander Owoeye ruled that a bench warrant for Onyedikachi’s arrest, which was issued on January 16, remained in effect.

The warrant had been issued after Onyedikachi allegedly failed to respond to the charges, and the EFCC was unable to serve him. Onyedikachi is accused of diverting a significant amount of Chinwo’s royalties.

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In the ruling, Justice Owoeye clarified that the court would not assume jurisdiction over the case until the defendant’s plea had been taken. The judge stated that Onyedikachi must appear at the next adjourned date, either through the bench warrant or by production from his lawyer, who had committed to ensuring his attendance.

The case will continue on March 6, when Onyedikachi is expected to be formally arraigned.

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