The estranged producer and founder of Eeze Conceptz Limited, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, has denied allegations leveled against him by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, describing them as unfounded and baseless.
In a statement made available on Saturday in Abuja, Onyedikachukwu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, clarified that Chinwo’s claims were without merit.
Opara alleged that Chinwo breached her record label and management contract with Eeze Conceptz Limited and accused her of presenting false information to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against his client.
Opara emphasized that Onyedikachukwu was not Chinwo’s manager but her producer, who discovered her talent in 2017, nurtured it, and propelled her into the gospel music industry.
He also refuted allegations that Onyedikachukwu diverted $345,000 in royalties belonging to Chinwo.
“The members of public must take note; that the allegations made against our client by Mercy Chinwo and the EFCC before obtaining the arrest warrant order for the arrest of our client were false and unfounded.
“This is evident as contained in the processes presented by the EFCC before the Honorable Court prior to obtaining the said order, wherein the EFCC alleged our client was Mercy Chinwo’s manager which he is not and never was.
“Again, the allegation that our client diverted Mercy Chinwo’s funds is also totally false and that our client could not be reached, which both Mercy Chinwo, and the EFCC very well know how our client could be reached and apprehended in such events.”
Opara stated that his legal team had initiated steps to challenge and set aside the court’s arrest order.
He expressed confidence that the court would rule justly once all evidence was reviewed.
“And we strongly believe that, once the facts and evidences are truthfully placed before the Honorable Court, the Honorable Court will do that which is right and just in the circumstance.
“Hence, we urge the members of the public to disregard every smear publication and campaign coordinated by Mercy Chinwo against our client,” he said.
The lawyer revealed that Chinwo had signed a five-year Label and Artist Management Contract with Eeze Conceptz Limited in 2017, which covered ownership rights to her music catalogue and a revenue-sharing arrangement.
He accused Chinwo of reneging on the agreement.
In detailing the ongoing dispute, Opara disclosed that Onyedikachukwu was detained by the EFCC at its Ilorin office between April 16 and April 25, 2024.
During this period, a thorough audit of his bank accounts reportedly found no evidence of wrongdoing.
He also noted that a fundamental rights enforcement suit had been filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on July 17, 2024, seeking to prevent further harassment or detention of Onyedikachukwu by the EFCC, Chinwo, and others.
“It therefore came as a rude shock for the same commission to claim that Mr Onyedikachukwu’s had not been located and procured an ex-parte warrant of arrest on him.
“These schemes are targeted to malign the Label and its Founder and they will be very firmly resisted within the ambit of the law,” Opara said.
Reports revealed that Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos issued the arrest warrant on Thursday after an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari.
The motion alleged Onyedikachukwu’s diversion of $345,000 in royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and performances.
The case was adjourned until January 24, 2025, for Onyedikachukwu’s arraignment.
