The EFCC has removed gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s name from its amended charges against gospel music executive EeZeeTee, now focusing on alleged financial regulatory breaches

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a significant development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s name from its amended charges against gospel music executive Ezekiel Onyedikachi, popularly known as EeZeeTee.

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The EFCC had initially accused EeZeeTee, the CEO of EeZee Global Concept Ltd, of fraudulently converting earnings belonging to Mercy Chinwo.

However, during court proceedings on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the commission presented a new eight-count charge that centers on alleged breaches of financial regulations by EeZeeTee and his company.

The amended charges now accuse EeZeeTee of failing to properly disclose the company’s financial transactions and engaging in unauthorised foreign exchange dealings between 2022 and 2023.

According to the EFCC, EeZee Global Concept Ltd allegedly received $255,436 during this period without making the required disclosures to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML).

The amended charges accuse EeZeeTee of failing to disclose the company’s financial transactions and engaging in unauthorised foreign exchange deals between 2022 and 2023.

Furthermore, the commission alleges that in June 2023, EeZeeTee and his company, without being authorised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, engaged in a foreign exchange transaction equivalent to $52,895 with Mr. Oladotun Mureke.

They are also accused of another unauthorised foreign exchange transaction worth $18,775 with one Gift Ugochi Christopher, bypassing the official foreign exchange market.

EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to all eight counts. His counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court of a previously filed bail application, while also indicating that both parties were exploring an out-of-court settlement. However, the EFCC’s counsel opposed the bail request.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke adjourned the ruling on the bail application to May 9, 2025, and ordered EeZeeTee’s temporary release to his counsel.

A brief drama unfolded outside the courtroom when EFCC operatives attempted a re-arrest, but the situation was resolved by a senior EFCC official.

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This amendment of charges marks a significant shift in the legal proceedings, removing Mercy Chinwo from the allegations and focusing solely on the alleged financial regulatory breaches by EeZeeTee and his company.