The continuing fraud allegations in opposition to gospel report label proprietor, Ezekiel ThankGod Onyedikachukwu, popularly referred to as Eezee Tee, have taken a brand new twist, with outstanding cleric Apostle Anslem Madubuko of Revival Meeting Church, Lagos, accusing the label boss of sabotaging reconciliation efforts and defrauding former signees Mercy Chinwo and Judikay.
In a public assertion, Apostle Madubuko detailed his function in making an attempt to mediate monetary disputes between Eezee Tee and Mercy Chinwo, which dated again to 2022. The cleric disclosed that regardless of organising conferences and hiring impartial auditors to evaluation the label’s accounts, Eezee Tee refused to cooperate, hindering decision efforts.
Mercy Chinwo, a famend gospel artiste, has accused Eezee Tee of diverting funds meant for her royalties throughout her contract with EeZee Conceptz. Chinwo alleged that the label withheld funds owed to her for 2 years.
Whereas Eezee Tee denies the accusations, claiming their contract was a 50/50 revenue-sharing settlement and that he invested over $624,000 in her profession, the matter remained unresolved and at present a topic of litigation.
Equally, Judikay, one other gospel artiste who labored with EeZee Conceptz from 2019 to 2024, filed a lawsuit in 2024, alleging that the label boss embezzled $264,000 throughout her time beneath the label.
Apostle Madubuko shared {that a} 2022 assembly at his residence, attended by Mercy Chinwo, Eezee Tee, and fellow gospel artiste Chioma Jesus, appeared to supply a breakthrough. Through the assembly, it was agreed that auditors from OLATUNJI FANIFOSI & CO would independently evaluation the label’s monetary data. Nevertheless, Eezee Tee reportedly accused the cleric of bias and later refused to honour the settlement by withholding the required paperwork.
“All efforts to succeed in Ezekiel afterwards proved abortive, as he deliberately prevented my calls and messages. He even stopped paying Mercy her royalties for 2 years,” Madubuko mentioned.
In an official assertion, EeZee Conceptz denied all allegations, describing them as a marketing campaign of misinformation. The label claimed that Mercy Chinwo failed to satisfy contractual obligations, together with delivering a 3rd studio album, and alleged that she withheld funds from occasions that have been because of the label. Eezee Tee additional challenged Chinwo to reveal her monetary data to substantiate her claims.
The authorized disputes have attracted vital consideration inside the gospel music trade. Mercy Chinwo’s lawsuit seeks restitution for unpaid royalties, whereas Judikay’s case centred on alleged monetary mismanagement. Observers have highlighted the necessity for clearer contracts and extra clear monetary preparations within the trade, which is thought for its casual operational construction.
The controversy has sparked debate amongst gospel music followers and stakeholders. Whereas some help the artistes’ pursuit of justice, others known as for warning, urging the general public to attend for the outcomes of the continuing authorized circumstances.
