A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice A.O. Owoeye, has ordered that Ezekiel Thankgod, also known as Eezeetee, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, appear in court to face charges on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Thankgod, had repeatedly avoided arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency.
EFCC disclosed that the evasion was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the court during proceedings on January 16, 2025.
Thankgod is set to face a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and the fraudulent conversion of $340,000.
This was made known via a statement shared on the X handle of the EFCC, on Monday, February 17.
The statement reads in part: “Justice A.O. Owoeye of Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, on Monday, February 17, 2025 held that Mr. Ezekiel Thankgod must appear in court to take his plea and adjourned till March 6, 2025 for his arraignment.
“Mr. Thankgod, ex-manager of gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo has consistently evaded arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prompting a warrant of arrest to be issued on him by the court during January 16, 2025 proceedings.
“Thankgod is to be arraigned on a three-count charge, bordering on money laundering and dishonest conversion to the tune of $340,000.
“One of the charges reads: ‘That EZEKIEL ONYEDIKACHUKWU THANKGOD and EEZEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS LIMITED sometime in 2023, directly retained the sum of $260,494 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety-Four USD) in EEZEE GLOBAL MINISTRY Zenith Bank Plc account number, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity, the dishonest conversion of the said sum, property of Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo’.
“The offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The bench warrant of January 16, 2025 for his arrest followed an application by the prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, who informed the court that the prosecution has been unable to effect service of the charges on him as he had been unreachable.
“On January 24, 2025, defence counsel, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN had to accept service on behalf of the defendant, but pointed to a preliminary objection challenging the charges.
“Justice Owoeye subsequently adjourned till today, Monday, February 17, 2025 for the defendant’s arraignment. Yet, he remained absent and was again, represented by his counsel.”
