A Federal High Court in Lagos has once again reaffirmed the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Onyedikachi, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, over allegations of fraud and money laundering. The arrest warrant, initially issued on January 16, remains in effect after Onyedikachi failed to appear in court once again on Monday, February 17.
Justice Alexander Owoeye, who presided over the case, made it clear that Onyedikachi’s absence would not derail the proceedings. The judge dismissed a request by the defense lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, to proceed with a preliminary objection, as the case had not yet formally commenced with the defendant’s arraignment.
Mercy Chinwo had accused her ex-manager of diverting over 345,000 US dollars in royalties meant for her, triggering an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The alleged misappropriation was discovered when Chinwo raised concerns about missing payments linked to her music royalties.
The court heard that the EFCC had been unable to serve Onyedikachi with formal charges due to his deliberate evasion. The situation prompted the commission to request an arrest warrant, which was subsequently granted by Justice Owoeye. At the time, EFCC counsel Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari stated that attempts to contact and serve Onyedikachi had been unsuccessful, adding that he had become unreachable.
In the January 24 hearing, Onyedikachi’s defense attorney, Dr. Ubani, had promised to accept service of the charges on behalf of his client, but a preliminary objection was filed shortly thereafter, complicating the matter. Despite the defense team’s assertions, Onyedikachi failed to appear on Monday, further fueling suspicions regarding his intentions to evade justice.
When the case resumed in court on Monday, Dr. Ubani appeared to represent his client, claiming that Onyedikachi had been involved in an accident on the morning of the hearing. He asked the court to excuse the absence and allow him to present his preliminary objection. However, the judge swiftly rejected the request, stating that the court could not entertain objections before the defendant’s formal plea was taken.
“Where is the defendant?” Justice Owoeye asked, a tone of disbelief in his voice. “We cannot proceed with the case without his appearance in person.”
In response, Ubani explained that his client had called in to report the accident, but would be available for the next hearing. While Ubani offered assurances that Onyedikachi would appear in court on the rescheduled date, the EFCC’s legal team was far less forgiving.
Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC counsel, sharply criticized the defense, suggesting that Onyedikachi’s absence was more than just an unfortunate incident. “It is a show of shame and outright disrespect for this court for the defendant to be absent on three different occasions in a criminal trial,” Oyedepo said. He also noted that Onyedikachi had been spotted within the court premises giving media interviews after a prior adjournment, casting doubt on the sincerity of his accident claim.
To underscore the gravity of the situation, Oyedepo requested that the court issue a bench warrant to compel Onyedikachi’s appearance. “The integrity of this court must be protected,” he said, urging Justice Owoeye to take immediate action against the fugitive.
Ubani, however, objected to the bench warrant request, assuring the court that he would personally ensure his client’s appearance at the next hearing. He claimed that his reputation as a senior lawyer in the country was on the line and that he would not betray the trust placed in him.
Justice Owoeye sided with the EFCC’s position, stating that the bench warrant issued in January was still valid and had not been vacated. The judge made it clear that the former manager must appear in court on the next adjourned date, whether by the police’s intervention or through his counsel’s intervention.
The trial has now been rescheduled for March 6, 2025, and Onyedikachi’s fate hangs in the balance. If he fails to appear again, the court may be forced to take more drastic steps to bring him to justice.
The case, which has attracted widespread media attention, is set to be a significant one in the entertainment industry, particularly due to the high profile of Mercy Chinwo. The gospel singer, known for her chart-topping hits and massive fan following, has found herself at the center of a legal drama that threatens to tarnish her image and career.
Ezekiel Onyedikachi’s fate also remains uncertain, as the court’s upcoming ruling could result in serious legal consequences for the former manager. The allegations of fraud, if proven true, would expose the darker side of the entertainment business, where money is sometimes mismanaged and stolen, leaving unsuspecting artists like Mercy Chinwo in financial ruin.
This trial is more than just a legal battle; it’s a cautionary tale for those in the entertainment industry, reminding them of the importance of keeping trustworthy and transparent relationships with their managers and business partners. With Onyedikachi’s trial still in its early stages, Nigerians are eagerly awaiting what the next chapter in this high-profile case will bring.
