Olayiwola Matthew
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, aka Thankgod—a former manager of gospel artist, Mercy Chinwo, and his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited, for an alleged $255,446 money laundering scheme.
NigeriaTodayTimes reports that Ezekiel and his company are facing a seven-count charge before the Federal High Court in Lagos for engaging in foreign exchange transactions without appropriate licence.
Prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, told Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke that in June 2023, the defendant, “without being an authorized foreign exchange dealer appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), negotiated a foreign exchange transaction worth $52,895 with one Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.”
She said the offense contravenes Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 29(2) of the same law.
Ezekiel pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the plea, Buhari-Bala requested the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
In response, defence counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, informed the court of a bail application dated February 28, 2025.
While arguing for bail, Ojukwu stated that the defendant is the sole caregiver for his two ailing children, urging the court to grant bail on liberal terms and allow temporary release to him pending satisfaction of bail conditions.
However, the EFCC opposed the bail request, asserting that “this defendant has been evading service, and there is still a subsisting arrest warrant against him. It is our firm position that he does not deserve to be granted bail. However, the court may consider ordering an accelerated hearing,” Buhari-Bala submitted.
Justice Aneke adjourned ruling on the bail application to May 9, 2025, and temporarily released the defendant to his lawyer as requested.
The EFCC also alleged that in March 2021, Ezekiel and Eezee Global Concepts conducted an unauthorized $70,000 forex transaction with Avalan Chetrase 1307 Company.
In another instance, they were accused of carrying out an $18,775 transaction in October 2022 with one Gift Ugochi Christopher.
Additionally, the commission claimed that Ezekiel and his company failed to file mandatory financial disclosures with the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML). In 2022, they allegedly received $65,703 without declaration. Similar omissions occurred in 2023 and 2024, involving undeclared inflows of $52,350 and $137,383 respectively through their Zenith Bank account (No. 5070522520).
These alleged offenses violate Sections 6(1)(a) and 19(1)(f) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.