A Federal High Court in Lagos has temporarily halted the arraignment of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZee Tee, due to an ongoing administrative procedure.
This decision was made by Justice Alexander Owoeye on Thursday.
Persecondnews reports that EeZee Tee is facing charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) related to alleged fraudulent conversion.
The anti-graft agency had filed a four-count charge against Mercy Chinwo’s former manager over alleged fraudulent conversion up to $340,000.
One of the charges ready: “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 violates Sections 18(2)(d) and18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During Thursday’s hearing, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu( SAN), and Dr. Monday Ubani(SAN), represented Ezekiel, while Mr. Bilikisu Buhari represented the EFCC.
The defendant was present in court on Thursday, unlike the previous hearing where he was absent.
After the parties announced their appearances, Justice Owoeye notified them of an ongoing administrative procedure related to the cade, and therefore, would not be able to make any rulings in the case.
He said: “There is an administrative procedure going on in this case, and until it is completed, I cannot make any pronouncement on it.”
The judge rejected Mr. Ojukwu’s request to maintain the status quo until the administrative procedure is completed.
The case was subsequently adjourned until May 14.
Persecondnews recalls that on Monday, February 17, 2025, Justice Owoeye directed Ezekiel to appear at the next court sitting to enter his plea, and subsequently adjourned the case until March 6 for arraignment.
Before the judge’s order, the defendant had been evading arraignment by the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate, forcing the court to issue an arrest warrant on January 16, 2025.
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