Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, CEO of EeZee Conceptz and former manager of gospel artist Mercy Chinwo, has addressed allegations of fund diversion and unpaid royalties leveled against him by the singer.
On January 16, 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered Onyedikachukwu’s arrest following accusations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of embezzling $345,000. The EFCC claims he diverted funds and withheld Chinwo’s royalties from digital music platforms and event earnings. Prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to justify the arrest request.
The EFCC has warned that if Onyedikachukwu is not apprehended, they will issue a public summons declaring him wanted. The court adjourned the case to January 24 for his arraignment.
In a detailed Instagram post on Friday, Onyedikachukwu denied the allegations and accused Chinwo of contract breaches and ingratitude.
“You have received over $625,000 from EeZee Conceptz to date, yet you spread falsehoods about a bad contract,” he stated, adding that Chinwo pursued the deal persistently but is now weaponizing law enforcement and religious organizations against him.
He alleged Chinwo failed to meet contractual obligations, including delivering a third album, and withheld funds intended for the label. Despite these breaches, Onyedikachukwu claims he proposed reconciliation through an independent audit, which Chinwo allegedly avoided.
“It’s disheartening to see lies being spread and efforts to manipulate institutions against me. I invested my blood, sweat, and hard-earned money into you,” he wrote, recalling how he supported Chinwo financially and provided housing for her and her team.
Onyedikachukwu also revealed a previous encounter with the EFCC, claiming he was illegally detained for nine days in a location far from Lagos, during which $274,000 was extorted from him under duress.
Despite this, he said he refrained from making the issue public, choosing instead to follow legal procedures outlined in the original contract with Chinwo.
“If your hands are clean, why avoid the Multidoor resolution process in our agreement? Why manipulate institutions to bully me?” he questioned, challenging Chinwo to release her bank statements and contributions to her music career before and after signing with EeZee Conceptz.
Mercy Chinwo, known for several hit songs, signed with EeZee Conceptz a few years after winning the Nigerian Idol music contest. The partnership yielded major successes until her quiet departure from the label in 2022, sparking rumors of a rift.
The ongoing legal battle has brought the tension into public view, with Onyedikachukwu maintaining his innocence and expressing trust in the legal system and divine justice to clear his name.
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