Court adjourns trial of Mercy Chinwo’s ex-manager over money laundering

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the trial of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu ThankGod, popularly known as Eezee Tee, a music promoter and former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, to September 26, 2025.

Eezee Tee and his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited, are standing trial on a seven-count amended charge bordering on alleged foreign exchange malpractice and money laundering. The case was brought by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

One of the charges alleges that ThankGod, not being a licensed foreign exchange dealer authorised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), negotiated a forex transaction with an individual, an act said to contravene the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act.

The case, which was initially before Justice Owoeye, was later reassigned to Justice Aneke for continuation.

At Friday’s proceedings, the prosecution, led by Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, called its first witness, Mohammed Timta.

However, defence counsel Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, told the court that both parties were engaged in settlement discussions and requested additional time to conclude negotiations. He noted that if talks failed, the prosecution was prepared to proceed with full trial.

Justice Aneke subsequently granted the request and adjourned the matter to September 26, 2025, for further hearing.