In a heartfelt statement released by her legal representatives, gospel music star Minister Mercy Chinwo has shed light on the troubling circumstances surrounding her former manager, Mr. Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezeetee). The statement addresses ongoing rumors and provides a detailed account of the toxic and abusive relationship that ultimately led to their professional split.
Minister Mercy’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq., issued a strong clarification against the falsehoods circulating about her recent legal actions and personal issues with Eezeetee. They emphasized that Minister Mercy never initiated any legal action concerning her music catalog or the management revenue split. Instead, the allegations against Eezeetee, which have caused serious harm to her personal and professional life, have compelled her to speak out.
The Journey Begins: A Relationship Built on Trust
Minister Mercy’s association with Eezeetee dates back to the early days of her career, where he initially mentored her as a backup singer. Over time, the relationship developed into a formal managerial role, with Eezeetee becoming a father figure to her. Their collaboration officially began in 2017 when they signed a management contract on her birthday. The pair shared a vision for gospel music in Nigeria, and together, they celebrated several successful projects, including her hit song “Excess Love.”
A Drastic Change: From Harmony to Hostility
However, by the end of 2019, after several years of successful collaboration, cracks began to appear in their relationship. Minister Mercy declined an offer to extend her contract to twelve years, and tensions started to rise. Eezeetee became increasingly hostile, making threats and using verbal and emotional abuse to control her. He often threatened to destroy her career, isolate her from events, and misrepresented her availability to program organizers.
One particularly distressing incident involved a church event in Edo State, where Eezeetee falsely claimed that Minister Mercy was terminally ill. When she discovered the lie, she confronted him, and despite the conflict, she insisted on attending the event. To her surprise, the host had made arrangements with a medical team, believing she was unwell.
Reconciliation Efforts: A Frustrating Path
Despite the deepening rift, Minister Mercy made several attempts at reconciliation, including gifting Eezeetee a brand-new SUV as a symbol of goodwill. However, these efforts were met with further manipulations, leading her to take control of her scheduling and management by December 2021.
Forgery and Deceptive Practices: Uncovering the Truth
The situation took a more serious turn when Minister Mercy requested her copy of the original contract. To her shock, she discovered that the 2017 contract had been replaced with a forged 2019 document. The alterations were blatant, with dates manipulated and the content of the contract significantly changed to favor Eezeetee, including a clause that would have given him lifetime ownership of her music works.
An investigation revealed that after the original 2017 contract, Eezeetee had worked with a Lagos-based law firm to draft a new contract in 2019, which was then altered to appear as the original. This discovery raised serious questions about the integrity of their agreement and led to further legal complications.
Financial Deception and Fraudulent Practices
The investigation also uncovered that Eezeetee had been withholding significant earnings from Minister Mercy, including revenue from streaming platforms and music publishing. Despite claiming to have paid her over $600,000, records show that she had not received her rightful share of earnings, leading to accusations of financial mismanagement.
The EFCC Intervention: Resolution or Further Escalation?
The matter was taken up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2024, where it was revealed that Eezeetee had unlawfully retained $274,000 in digital platform revenues. He initially claimed that the money was being held to ensure reconciliation but later admitted to the existence of two contracts, further highlighting the fraudulent nature of the situation.
After emotional exchanges during the EFCC meeting, where both parties expressed regret and sought reconciliation, it appeared that a peaceful resolution was within reach. However, Eezeetee later filed a court case against Minister Mercy, leading to confusion and continued legal battles.
A Call for Accountability and Transparency
Minister Mercy has called on Eezeetee to publicly explain the discrepancies between the 2017 and 2019 contracts and provide clarity on the actions that have caused so much damage to her career and personal well-being. She remains hopeful that the matter will eventually be resolved, thanking her fans for their unwavering support during this difficult time.
Minister Mercy’s legal team has vowed to continue pursuing justice on her behalf and urges the public to disregard false narratives.
Signed: Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.
Solicitors and Attorneys-at-Law to Minister Mercy Chinwo
