Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ruled that Mr. Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of gospel artist Mercy Chinwo, must appear in court for his arraignment on March 6, 2025.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, February 17, 2025, follows Thankgod’s repeated failure to appear before the court for trial. The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting him on a three-count charge of money laundering and dishonest conversion amounting to $340,000.
Background of the Case
A bench warrant for Thankgod’s arrest was issued on January 16, 2025, after the prosecution informed the court of its inability to serve him with the charges due to his inaccessibility. The EFCC alleges that, in 2023, he retained $260,494 in an EEZEE Global Ministry account with Zenith Bank Plc, funds purportedly belonging to Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo.
According to the EFCC, this act contravenes Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
Court Proceedings
On January 24, 2025, defence counsel Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, accepted service of the charges on behalf of Thankgod but raised a preliminary objection challenging the charges. The court then scheduled February 17, 2025, for the defendant’s arraignment.
However, Thankgod was once again absent on the set date, with his lawyer informing the court that he had allegedly been involved in a serious accident that morning but would be present at the next hearing.
Prosecution’s Objection
Lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, criticized the defendant’s continued absence, describing the defense’s approach as “strange” and a “show of shame and outright disrespect for the court.”
Citing legal precedents, including State vs. Achara and Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Yahaya Bello, Oyedepo argued that:
- The defendant must be present for any applications to be heard.
- His failure to appear for three consecutive court dates demonstrated an attempt to evade justice.
- If he was indeed indisposed, he should have deposed to an affidavit to support his claim.
The prosecution further revealed that despite missing the previous court session, Thankgod was seen within the court premises granting media interviews shortly after proceedings ended.
Court’s Ruling
Justice Owoeye ruled that since the defendant’s plea had not been taken, the court had not yet assumed jurisdiction over the case. He further declared that the bench warrant issued on January 16, 2025, remains in effect.
The judge ordered that Thankgod must appear in court on March 6, 2025, either through the enforcement of the subsisting bench warrant or by voluntary production by his counsel.
