Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos has granted music promoter, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu ThankGod, (a.k.a Eezee Tee) a N20m bail in connection with an alleged $397,106 forex transaction fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Aneke on Friday granted him bail with one surety in like sum, who must reside within Lagos and must deposit with the court verifiable documents of a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The EFCC had initially filed a 14-count charge against EeZeeTee for alleged fraudulent conversion of proceeds belonging to gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, but later amended the charge to seven counts, accusing him of engaging in foreign exchange transactions without a license.
One of the counts reads: “That you, EZEKIEL ONYEDIKACHUWU THANKGOD and EEZEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS LIMITED, sometime in June 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, not being an authorized buyer of foreign exchange currency appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Section 5(1) of Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act CAP F34 LFN 2004 negotiated a foreign exchange transaction to wit: the naira equivalent of the sum of $52,895.00 (Fifty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred Ninety Five ) with Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act Cap F34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act.”
Another count reads: “That you, EZEKIEL ONYEDIKACHUWU THANKGOD and EEZEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS LIMITED, sometime in 2024 Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to submit to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering a declaration of your activities of the said company within which period the total sum of $137,383 (One Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty Three United States Dollars) paid into EEZEE CONCEPTS LIMITED account number 5070522520 domiciled in Zenith Bank, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 6(1) (a),19(1)(f) of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section19 (2)(b) of the same Act.”
Upon arraignment, he pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
At the last adjourned date, Prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, told the court that in June 2023, EeZeeTee, without authorization from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), negotiated a foreign exchange transaction worth $52,895 with one Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.
She argued that his action violates Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act.
However, the defence counsel, Chikaozolu Ojukwu, prayed that his client be granted bail “in the most liberal terms” and be released to him, if granted bail.
Justice Aneke granted him N20m bail and gave him 72 hours to meet the bail conditions.
He subsequently adjourned the case to June 20, 2025, for commencement of trial.
