Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted a warrant of arrest against Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
The judge granted the order on Thursday sequel to a motion exparte brought before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking arrest of the manager.
When the case came up on Thursday, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, announced her appearance for the EFCC.
Buhari then informed the court of an application brought by the EFCC pursuant to Section 35(1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
However, she moved the application seeking an order to issue a warrant of arrest against the manager.
She said the warrant would be to compel the manager’s appearance in court to answer to criminal offences he allegedly committed.
Buhari stated that if the commission was not able to arrest the manager, it would bring a public summons to declare him wanted.
After listening to her submissions the court granted the application, and adjourned the case until January 24, 2025, for the arraignment of the manager.
In an affidavit in support of the application, the EFCC averred that it received a petition from Chinwo against the manager.
The affidavit was deposed to by an investigator with the commission, Mr Michael Idoko.
He averred that the gospel singer alleged that the manager was receiving royalty on all her digital platforms and events without disclosure.
According to the EFCC, the gospel singer claimed that the manager diverted about $345,000, without remitting her share.
It said efforts to arrest the manager failed, necessitating the application for a warrant of arrest.
The court adjourned the case until January 24 for arraignment of the manager.
