The drama is heating up in the Nigerian gospel music scene! Popular gospel artist Mercy Chinwo has accused her former producer, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, of fraud, claiming he diverted a whopping $345,000 in royalties. But Onyedikachukwu isn’t taking it lying down. He’s fired back, calling Chinwo’s allegations ‘baseless’ and a total fabrication. Buckle up, folks, because this is about to get messy!
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s going on:
- Mercy Chinwo accuses her former producer of stealing $345,000 in royalties.
- The producer, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, denies the accusations, calling them “untrue and baseless”.
- Onyedikachukwu claims he was Chinwo’s producer, not manager, and that he discovered and developed her talent.
- A warrant for Onyedikachukwu’s arrest was issued, but his lawyers are fighting back, arguing that it is based on false claims.
- The case is now in the hands of the court, with both sides gearing up for a legal showdown.
The Producer’s Side of the Story
According to Onyedikachukwu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, the producer isn’t just some random person trying to take advantage of Mercy Chinwo. He claims that Onyedikachukwu discovered Chinwo’s talent way back in 2017, nurtured it, and propelled her to stardom. Opara insists that his client was the producer, not the manager, as the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) wrongly stated in their application for his arrest.
Onyedikachukwu’s lawyer stated: “The allegations made against our client by Mercy Chinwo and the EFCC… were false and unfounded. It’s like they went to get that arrest warrant without doing their homework properly.”
Opara also stated, “They said my client diverted Mercy Chinwo’s funds, and that he couldn’t be reached. But they know how to reach him! It’s all a big charade to smear his name and reputation.”
The Contract Controversy
The lawyer also alleges that Mercy Chinwo signed a five-year contract with Eezee Conceptz Limited, the record label, from 2017 to 2022. According to him, this contract covered ownership of the music catalog and a split of all royalties. It is claimed that Chinwo has breached this contract and the matter is also part of the legal case.
EFCC’s Involvement and the Arrest Warrant
The EFCC got involved after Chinwo filed a complaint, alleging that Onyedikachukwu had diverted a whopping $345,000 in royalties from her digital platforms and events. However, Onyedikachukwu claims that during his detention at the EFCC Ilorin office in April 2024, a thorough audit of his accounts revealed no evidence of wrongdoing.
Despite this, Justice Alexander Owoeye issued an arrest warrant for Onyedikachukwu on Thursday, January 18th, 2025. Onyedikachukwu’s legal team has countered this move with a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, aiming to halt his arrest, harassment, and detention. His lawyers say they are working hard to get the arrest warrant set aside.
What Happens Next?
The case is set to resume on January 24, 2025, where Onyedikachukwu’s arraignment is expected. The coming days will be crucial as both sides prepare to fight their corner. The public, meanwhile, is eagerly waiting for the truth to come to light.
Stay Tuned!
This case is certainly going to be one to watch. We’ll be keeping you updated with every twist and turn in this high-profile dispute. It is a reminder that even in the gospel music industry, not everything is always as it seems. We will stay on top of this story as it develops.