Former supervisor of gospel artist, Mercy Chinwo, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, has damaged his silence after allegations of diversions of funds and withholding royalties levelled towards him by the singer.
LEADERSHIP remembers {that a} Federal Excessive Courtroom in Lagos had on Thursday ordered Onyedikachukwu’s arrest over claims of embezzling $345,000.
The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) had filed the movement, accusing Onyedikachukwu of diverting funds and withholding royalties from Chinwo’s digital music platforms and occasion earnings.
The prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, who represented the EFCC, cited authorized provisions below the 1999 Structure and the Administration of Legal Justice Act, 2015, as grounds for the arrest.
The EFCC had introduced that if Onyedikachukwu just isn’t apprehended, they’ll problem a public summons to declare him wished.
The courtroom, nonetheless, adjourned the case till January 24 for arraignment of the supervisor.
However, the EeZee Conceptz CEO, whereas reacting to the allegations by Chinwo in an Instagram submit on Friday, accused the gospel singer of being ungrateful, stating that she breached their contract.
“You have got obtained over $625,000 from EeZee Conceptz up to now, but you unfold falsehoods a couple of dangerous contract,” Onyedikachukwu wrote, including, “You pursued me for years and even concerned third events to safe a deal, but now you weaponize legislation enforcement and non secular organizations towards me.”
He alleged that Chinwo failed to satisfy her obligations below their settlement, together with the supply of a 3rd album, and withheld funds meant for the label.
“It’s disheartening to see lies being unfold and efforts to weaponize legislation enforcement and non secular affiliations towards me. I invested my blood, sweat, and hard-earned cash into you. I housed you for months earlier than securing two-bedroom flats for each you and your band chief.
“You breached our contract by failing to ship a 3rd album and withholding funds meant for the label from content material and occasions. When this occurred, I didn’t assault you. As an alternative, I reached out, proposing a reconciliation assembly and even suggesting an unbiased audit for transparency,” he wrote.
Onyedikachukwu additionally revealed his earlier encounter with the EFCC and claimed that he was illegally detained for 9 days in a location removed from Lagos, throughout which $274,000 was allegedly extorted from him.
“Final yr, I used to be illegally detained by EFCC for 9 days, removed from Lagos, the place our enterprise passed off. Underneath duress, $274,000 was extorted. But, I nonetheless didn’t resort to dragging you publicly. As a law-abiding citizen, I selected to observe the authorized processes outlined within the contract you signed with Eezee Conceptz.
“In case your fingers are clear, why keep away from the Multidoor decision course of in our settlement? Why manipulate establishments to bully me? You deny the contract when it speaks of your obligations and our advantages, however quote it when it advantages you.
“Discrediting similar doc that you’ve got vastly benefited from. Kindly submit your financial institution statements and songs recorded 3years earlier than you have been signed and 3years after you bought signed.
“You’re now trying to say possession of a list I absolutely funded.. a physique of labor you by no means contributed financially to.
“For years, you’ve obtained each quarterly royalties and instant remittances from the 50/50 settlement, however this greed and betrayal that persists are past comprehension.
“Let me remind you: I based the label that constructed your platform, put meals in your desk, and gave you alternatives past your goals. By way of God’s grace, I did this, and nobody can erase the position Eezee Idea performed in constructing your affect…
“I’ll proceed to behave lawfully, trusting the authorized system and God to defend my peace and popularity. As Proverbs 17:13 says, “Whoever repays good with evil, evil won’t ever depart from their home,” he added.
