The Federal High Court in Lagos has upheld its arrest warrant against Ezekiel Onyedikachi, the former manager of renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, over allegations of fraudulent conversion amounting to $345,000.
Justice Alexander Owoeye reaffirmed the order on Monday while adjourning the criminal charges filed against Onyedikachi. The judge had initially issued the arrest warrant on January 16 following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Allegations of Financial Misconduct
According to court filings, Mercy Chinwo accused Onyedikachi of diverting approximately $345,000 in royalties owed to her, failing to remit the funds as required. The EFCC’s counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, informed the court that the prosecution had been unable to serve Onyedikachi with the formal charges, as he remained unreachable. Consequently, the court granted the application for his arrest.
At a previous hearing on January 24, Onyedikachi’s defence counsel, Dr. Monday Ubani, had undertaken to accept service of the charges on behalf of his client. However, the defence later filed a preliminary objection challenging the case.
During Monday’s proceedings, Ubani appeared for the defence, while the prosecution was represented by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). Ubani acknowledged that the session was meant for Onyedikachi’s arraignment but informed the court of the pending preliminary objection.
Justice Owoeye, however, immediately demanded, “Where is the defendant?”
Ubani responded that he had received a call from Onyedikachi earlier that morning, claiming he had suffered a serious accident and could not attend the hearing. He assured the court that his client would be present at the next sitting.
The defence counsel attempted to move the preliminary objection, but the judge refused, ruling that Onyedikachi must first be present in court before such an application could be heard. Justice Owoeye emphasized that the court had not assumed jurisdiction over the matter since the defendant had yet to enter a plea.
The prosecution, led by Oyedepo, expressed strong disapproval of the defendant’s repeated absence, describing it as a “show of shame and outright disrespect for the court.” He pointed out that Onyedikachi had failed to appear for three consecutive court sessions and recalled that, shortly after the last adjournment, the defendant had been seen within the court premises giving media interviews—an act he deemed both disgraceful and contemptuous.
Oyedepo further argued that if Onyedikachi was truly unwell, his defence team should have supported the claim with a sworn affidavit. He, therefore, urged the court to issue a fresh bench warrant to ensure the defendant’s appearance, stating that the integrity of the judicial process must be upheld.
Although the defence objected to the prosecution’s request, promising to personally ensure Onyedikachi’s attendance, the court ruled that the existing bench warrant remained valid. Justice Owoeye ordered that the defendant must present himself for arraignment at the next hearing, either voluntarily or through law enforcement intervention.
By mutual agreement, the case was adjourned until March 6 for Onyedikachi’s arraignment.
This latest ruling underscores the judiciary’s firm stance against evasion of justice, as the embattled former manager now faces mounting legal pressure to answer for the allegations against him.
PIONEER NEWS 