Mercy Chinwo’s ex-manager Eezee Tee arraigned over alleged $397,106 money laundering
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned renowned music promoter Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu ThankGod, popularly known as Eezee Tee, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
ThankGod and his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited, are being prosecuted on a refiled seven-count amended charge involving alleged violations of foreign exchange regulations and money laundering totaling $397,106.
The case, which was initially heard by Justice Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, has since been reassigned to Justice Aneke for continuation.
ALSO READ: UCL: PSG beat Arsenal 2-1, to face Inter Milan in final
One of the counts reads: That you, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu Thankgod and Eezee Global Concepts Limited, sometime in June 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, not being an authorized buyer of foreign exchange currency appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Section 5(1) of Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act CAP F34 LFN 2004 negotiated a foreign exchange transaction to wit: the naira equivalent of the sum of $52,895 with Mr Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act Cap F34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act.
Another count reads: “That you, Ezekiel Onyedikachuwu Thankgod and Eezee Global Concepts Limited, sometime in 2024 Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to submit to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering a declaration of your activities of the said company within which period the total sum of $137,383 paid into Eezee Concepts Limited account number 5070522520 domiciled in Zenith Bank, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 6(1) (a),19(1)(f) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section19 (2)(b) of the same Act.”
The defendant entered a plea of “not guilty” to all charges when they were read aloud in court.
Following the plea, prosecuting counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala requested that the court set a date for trial and asked that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.
- FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Get the most important news on your social media feed
- FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: Get the most important news on your social media feed
- FOLLOW US ON X: Get the most important news on your social media feed
In response, defence counsel Chikaozolu Ojukwu, SAN, appealed for his client to be granted bail on “the most liberal terms” and requested that the defendant remain in his custody pending the commencement of trial.
Buhari-Bala informed the court that the prosecution had filed a 16-paragraph counter-affidavit, deposed by EFCC investigator Mohammed Adamu on March 4, 2025, opposing the bail request.
She argued that the defendant had repeatedly evaded service and ignored multiple invitations from the commission, even after being granted administrative bail.
As a result, she urged the court to deny the request for the defendant’s temporary release into his counsel’s custody.
Justice Aneke reserved ruling on the bail application until May 9, 2025, but in the meantime, allowed the defendant to remain in the custody of his lawyer.
READ MORE: DIASPORA LENS
