Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Cour, Lagos has fixed February 14 for the arraignment of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of a gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, for allegedly defrauding the musician.
The judge had also lifted the arrest warrant issued against Onyedikachukwu after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday urged him to withdraw the order.
Justice Owoeye issued a bench warrant against the music producer last week after the EFCC’s counsel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, moved an exparte application in that regard.
The commission asked the judge to withdraw the warrant at the request of its lawyer, Bilikisu Buhari.
The EFCC had filed a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of funds against the defendant.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the gospel singer had accused the defendant in a petition of receiving royalties from all her digital platforms and events without proper disclosure.
The EFCC also claimed that the complainant accused her manager of diverting approximately $345,000 without remitting her share.
Also, during the proceedings, the defence counsel, Monday Ubani (SAN) informed the court that he had filed a motion to vacate the order of arrest earlier obtained by the EFCC.
But the EFCC’s counsel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala informed Justice Owoeye that the commission had been looking for the defendant to serve the charge on him, which was the basis of the warrant of arrest issued by the court.
She then sought the court’s approval to serve the defendant’s charge on his lawyer and the request was approved by the judge.
Following the court’s nod, Buhari-Bala served the charge on Onyedikachuwu through Ubani.
