The Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled February 14, 2025, for the possible arraignment of Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, in connection with an alleged $345,000 fraud.
Justice Alexander Owoeye set the date on Friday following arguments over Ezekiel’s preliminary objection to the charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The commission accuses him of financial mismanagement, including diverting royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events, as well as failing to remit her earnings.
Bilikisu Buhari, counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that efforts to arrest Ezekiel, as previously ordered, had been unsuccessful. She requested permission to serve the fraud charges directly to the defendant’s lawyer in court, which was granted.
Ezekiel’s counsel, Monday Ubani, SAN, argued that the case was contractual rather than criminal.
He disclosed that his client had filed a separate fundamental rights suit to challenge the EFCC’s arrest warrant and requested the court to vacate the order.
Ubani also accepted the charges on behalf of his client and sought a date to hear the objection to the allegations.
After considering submissions from both parties, Justice Owoeye noted that the charges had now been served and adjourned the case to February 14, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the preliminary objection.
The EFCC had initiated proceedings against Ezekiel on January 16, 2025, alleging the misappropriation of funds meant for the gospel artist.
