Court orders Mercy Chinwo’s manager’s arrest over $345,000 fraud

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday, January 16, 2025, granted a warrant of arrest against Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

The presiding judge, Justice Alexander Owoeye, granted the order following a motion exparte brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking arrest of the singer’s manager.

When the case was called on Thursday, Bilikisu Buhari, announced appearance for the EFCC.

She then informed the court of an application brought by EFCC pursuant to Section 35(1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The lawyer consequently moved the application seeking an order to issue a warrant of arrest against the manager.

Buhari said the warrant would be to compel the manager’s appearance in court to answer to criminal offences he allegedly committed.

Buhari told the court that if the EFCC would not be able to arrest Onyedikachukwu, it would bring public summons to declare him wanted.

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Justice Owoeye granted the application, and adjourned the case until January 24 for the arraignment of the singer’s manager.

In an affidavit in support of the application, the EFCC stated that it received a petition from Chinwo against her manager.

The affidavit was deposed to by EFCC investigator Michael Idoko.

The anti-graft agency said the gospel singer alleged that her manager was receiving royalty on all her digital platforms and events without disclosure.

According to the EFCC, Chinwo claimed that the manager diverted about $345,000 without remitting her share.

It said efforts to arrest Onyedikachukwu failed, necessitating the application for a warrant of arrest.

The Star