Jay Boss
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s former manager, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (also known as Thankgod), along with his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited, on charges of laundering $255,446 through unauthorized foreign exchange transactions.
Ezekiel appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Lagos on a seven-count charge, including engaging in foreign exchange dealings without a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) license.
According to EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, the defendant unlawfully conducted a $52,895 forex transaction in June 2023 with one Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke. The alleged act contravenes Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and is punishable under Section 29(2).
Ezekiel pleaded not guilty. Buhari-Bala then asked the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, informed the court of a pending bail application dated February 28, 2025. He pleaded for Ezekiel’s temporary release, citing his role as the sole caregiver for two seriously ill children.
The EFCC opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant had previously evaded court summons and remained under a subsisting arrest warrant. The prosecution instead suggested an expedited trial.
Justice Aneke adjourned the ruling on bail to May 9, 2025, and temporarily released Ezekiel into the custody of his lawyer.
The EFCC further accused Ezekiel and his company of other unauthorized forex transactions, including a $70,000 deal in March 2021 with Avalan Chetrase 1307 Company and an $18,775 transaction in October 2022 with one Gift Ugochi Christopher.
Additionally, they allegedly failed to make statutory disclosures to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML). Undeclared foreign inflows into their Zenith Bank account included $65,703 in 2022, $52,350 in 2023, and $137,383 in 2024.
These actions 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 law.
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