Mercy Chinwo has accused her manager, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, of diverting $345,000 in royalties from her digital platforms and events.
The gospel singer claims that Onyedikachukwu received the funds without proper disclosure and failed to remit her rightful share.
This allegation led Justice Alexander Owoeye to approve the order following a motion filed by the EFCC, which sought the manager’s arrest to compel his appearance in court to answer charges related to criminal offenses.
Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, representing the EFCC, informed the court that the application was made under Section 35(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. The application aimed to secure the manager’s appearance in court in relation to allegations of financial misconduct.
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Buhari further stated that if the manager could not be located for arrest, the EFCC would initiate a public summons to declare him wanted.
The court granted the application and adjourned the case until January 24 for the manager’s arraignment.
In the affidavit supporting the application, EFCC investigator Michael Idoko revealed that the commission received a petition from Mercy Chinwo, in which she accused her manager of diverting $345,000 in royalties.
The singer alleged that Onyedikachukwu had been receiving royalties from her digital platforms and events without proper disclosure and had diverted the funds, failing to remit her rightful share.
The EFCC stated that despite efforts to arrest the manager, their attempts had been unsuccessful, prompting the request for an arrest warrant. The court proceedings will continue with the arraignment scheduled for January 24.
