The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, withdrew the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, accused of alleged $345,000 fraud.
Justice Alexander Owoeye had, on 16 January 2025, issued a bench warrant for the music producer’s arrest following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to force his appearance in court to face criminal charges.
However, during Friday’s hearing, the EFCC’s lawyer, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the arrest warrant.
Buhari argued that since the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Monday Ubani, SAN, in open court, there was no longer any need for the warrant.
In his response, the judge approved the withdrawal of the bench warrant.
The former manager of the gospel artist and head of EeZee Conceptz Global, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, has, however, denied accusations of diverting $345,000 meant for the singer.
In a lengthy post on Instagram, Onyedikachukwu argued that Chinwo had received a total of $625,000 from the label to date and alleged that Chinwo is attempting to claim ownership of a music catalogue he fully funded.
He also alleged that Chinwo breached her record label and management contract with Eeze Conceptz Limited and accused her of weaponising the EFCC and religious organisations against him.