Court Rejects Eezee Tee’s Absence Excuse, Reaffirms Arrest Warrant In $345,000 Royalty Fraud Case

The Federal High Court in Lagos has reaffirmed that the arrest warrant issued against music producer Ezekiel Onyedikachi, popularly known as EeZee Tee, remains in effect. The ruling came on Monday as the court adjourned his fraudulent conversion trial to March 6, 2025.

The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accuses Onyedikachi of diverting approximately $345,000 in royalties owed to gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. Despite a prior bench warrant issued on January 16, 2025, the defendant failed to appear in court once again, prompting heated exchanges between the defense and prosecution.

At Monday’s hearing, Onyedikachi’s lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani (SAN), informed Justice Alexander Owoeye that his client had suffered a terrible accident earlier in the day, preventing him from attending the trial. However, EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) challenged this claim, stating that if the defendant was truly indisposed, it should have been backed by an affidavit as proof.

The prosecution further accused Onyedikachi of deliberately evading court proceedings, citing instances where he was seen within court premises granting media interviews after previous hearings had been adjourned.

Justice Owoeye refused to entertain the defense’s preliminary objections, ruling that the court had not yet assumed jurisdiction since the defendant’s plea had not been taken. The judge also held that the existing bench warrant remained in effect, as it had not been formally withdrawn.

“My lord, it is a show of shame and outright disrespect for this court for the defendant to be absent on three different occasions in a criminal trial,” Oyedepo argued, requesting the court to reaffirm the arrest warrant to ensure the defendant’s attendance at the next hearing.

Although Ubani objected to the issuance of another bench warrant, assuring the court that his client would be present at the next sitting, the judge ruled that Onyedikachi must appear either voluntarily or by force.

Onyedikachi, a former manager to Mercy Chinwo, is facing charges for allegedly fraudulently converting $345,000 in royalties meant for the gospel singer. The EFCC had initially struggled to serve him with the court charge, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant in January.

At a prior hearing on January 24, 2025, Ubani had accepted service of the charge on behalf of his client, but the defense later filed an objection challenging the trial.

With the trial now adjourned to March 6, 2025, Onyedikachi is expected to either appear voluntarily or be forcibly brought to court under the existing bench warrant.