The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the fraud case against Ezekiel ThankGod, former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, to May 14, 2025.
The case, which involves an alleged $340,000 fraudulent transaction, was postponed due to pending administrative procedures.
Justice A.O. Owoeye, presiding over the case, ruled that proceedings could not move forward until the resolution of an administrative process.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against ThankGod, citing money laundering and dishonest conversion of funds amounting to $340,000.
Read Related: Court Orders Arrest of Mercy Chinwo’s Manager Over Alleged $345,000 Fraud
One of the charges states: “That you, EZEKIEL ONYEDIKACHUKWU THANKGOD and EEZEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS LIMITED sometime in 2023, directly retained the sum of $260,494 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety-Four USD) in EEZEE GLOBAL MINISTRY Zenith Bank Plc account number, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity, the dishonest conversion of the said sum, property of Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo.”
According to the EFCC, the charges brought against him violate Section 18(2)(d) and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
ThankGod, who was absent during the initial arraignment scheduled for February 17, 2025, was expected in court today following a bench warrant issued for his arrest.
Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media & Publicity disclosed his lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, had assured the court that his client would appear.
During Thursday’s hearing, prosecuting counsel Bilkisu Buhari expressed readiness to proceed with the arraignment, stating, “The matter is for arraignment and subject to the court’s overriding convenience, we are ready to commence.”
However, Justice Owoeye maintained that an administrative process needed to be resolved first, leading to the adjournment.
The EFCC remains committed to prosecuting the case, while the defendant will now appear before the court on May 14, 2025, for the next hearing.
