By Lukman Olabiyi
Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos has fixed February 14, 2024, for the arraignment of Ezekiel Onyedikachuwu popularly known as Thankgod, the embattled music producer and ex manager of popular gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo
The defendant, ThankGod was charged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of funds.
However, the defendant through his counsel, Mr. Monday Ubani (SAN) filed a preliminary objection to challenge the EFCC’s charge against him.
At the resumption of proceedings on Friday before Justice Owoeye, the defendant’s counsel, Ubani also informed the court that he had filed a motion to vacate the order of arrest earlier granted by the court.
But the EFCC’s counsel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala informed Justice Owoeye that the commission had been looking for the defendant to serve the charge on him, which was the basis of the warrant of arrest issued by the court.
She then sought the court’s approval to serve the defendant’s charge on his counsel, Ubani.
Following the court’s nod, Buhari-Bala served the charge on Onyedikachuwu through Ubani.
One of the charge against the defendants reads: “That you Ezekiel Onyedikachuwu ThankGod and Eezee Global Concepts Limited, sometimes in 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directly retained the sum of $260,494 in Eezee Global Ministry Zenith Bank Plc account number 5071267758 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: dishonest conversion of the said sum, property of Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under section 18 (3) of the of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act,2022.”