The ongoing fraud allegations against gospel record label owner, Ezekiel ThankGod Onyedikachukwu, popularly known as Eezee Tee, have taken a new twist, with prominent cleric Apostle Anslem Madubuko of Revival Assembly Church, Lagos, accusing the label boss of sabotaging reconciliation efforts and defrauding former signees Mercy Chinwo and Judikay.
In a public statement, Apostle Madubuko detailed his role in attempting to mediate financial disputes between Eezee Tee and Mercy Chinwo, which dated back to 2022. The cleric disclosed that despite organising meetings and hiring independent auditors to review the label’s accounts, Eezee Tee refused to cooperate, hindering resolution efforts.
Mercy Chinwo, a renowned gospel artiste, has accused Eezee Tee of diverting funds meant for her royalties during her contract with EeZee Conceptz. Chinwo alleged that the label withheld payments owed to her for two years.
While Eezee Tee denies the accusations, claiming their contract was a 50/50 revenue-sharing agreement and that he invested over $624,000 in her career, the matter remained unresolved and currently a subject of litigation.
Similarly, Judikay, another gospel artiste who worked with EeZee Conceptz from 2019 to 2024, filed a lawsuit in 2024, alleging that the label boss embezzled $264,000 during her time under the label.
Apostle Madubuko shared that a 2022 meeting at his residence, attended by Mercy Chinwo, Eezee Tee, and fellow gospel artiste Chioma Jesus, seemed to offer a breakthrough. During the meeting, it was agreed that auditors from OLATUNJI FANIFOSI & CO would independently review the label’s financial records. However, Eezee Tee reportedly accused the cleric of bias and later refused to honour the agreement by withholding the necessary documents.
“All efforts to reach Ezekiel afterwards proved abortive, as he intentionally avoided my calls and messages. He even stopped paying Mercy her royalties for two years,” Madubuko said.
In an official statement, EeZee Conceptz denied all allegations, describing them as a campaign of misinformation. The label claimed that Mercy Chinwo failed to meet contractual obligations, including delivering a third studio album, and alleged that she withheld funds from events that were due to the label. Eezee Tee further challenged Chinwo to disclose her financial records to substantiate her claims.
The legal disputes have attracted significant attention within the gospel music industry. Mercy Chinwo’s lawsuit seeks restitution for unpaid royalties, while Judikay’s case centred on alleged financial mismanagement. Observers have highlighted the need for clearer contracts and more transparent financial arrangements in the industry, which is known for its informal operational structure.
The controversy has sparked debate among gospel music fans and stakeholders. While some support the artistes’ pursuit of justice, others called for caution, urging the public to wait for the outcomes of the ongoing legal cases.
