A federal high court in Lagos has issued a warrant for the arrest of Ezekiel
Onyedikachukwu, former manager to gospel singer, Merev Chinwo.
Alexander Owoeye, the presiding judge granted the order on Thursday following an ex parte motion filed by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bilikisu Buhari, EFCC counsel cited legal provisions 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, to support the application.
Buhari told the court that the arrest warrant was necessary to ensure Onyedikachukwu’s appearance in court to address alleged criminal charges.
EFCC in an affidavit supporting the application, said it received a petition from Chinwo against the manager.
The affidavit sworn by Michael Idoko, an EFCC investigator, said the singer accused her manager of receiving royalties from her digital platforms and events without disclosing the transactions.
The commission said Chinwo claimed that the manager diverted approximately $345,000
without remitting her share.
EFCC added that efforts to arrest the manager were unsuccessful, prompting the application for a warrant of arrest.
Buhari further said EFCC would resort to a public summons to declare him wanted if he couldn’t be apprehended.
The court granted the application and adjourned the case to January 24 for Onyedikachukwu’s arraignment.
Onyedikachukwu is the founder of record label EeZee Conceptz. Chinwo was signed to the label in 2017 after winning the second season of the Nigerian Idol.
According to reports; Chinwo left Eezee Conceptz, a record label founded by Onyedikachukwu in September 2022 due to a disagreement over financial matters.
The 34-year-old singer joined Eazew Conceptz in 2017 after winning the second season of the Nigerian Idol. She released her debut album “Testimony” in 2016.
