Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, former manager of Nigerian gospel artist Mercy Chinwo, has publicly responded to allegations that he diverted $345,000 of the singer’s earnings. His statement comes after a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Alexander Owoeye, issued a warrant for his arrest following a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a detailed response posted on Instagram, Onyedikachukwu countered the allegations by claiming that Chinwo has actually received over $625,000 from his record label, EeZee Conceptz Global. He emphasized that the singer agreed to a 50/50 gross earnings ratio and alleged that she pursued him for years to secure the contract.
“You’ve received over $625,000 to date, but this situation persists. While claiming and singing it’s all for Jesus, your actions paint a different picture,” Onyedikachukwu stated in his post.
The former manager also revealed that he was previously detained by the EFCC for nine days, during which he claims $274,000 was “extorted” under duress. He detailed his contributions to Chinwo’s career, including providing housing and establishing her initial platform in the industry.
According to Onyedikachukwu, the dispute extends to ownership rights of Chinwo’s music catalogue, which he says he fully funded. He maintains that the singer has regularly received quarterly royalties and immediate remittances under their agreement since signing with his label.
The controversy has raised questions about contract terms and financial transparency in Nigeria’s gospel music industry. Onyedikachukwu has called for Chinwo to participate in the Multidoor resolution process outlined in their agreement, while expressing his intention to rely on legal channels to resolve the dispute.
As of publication, Mercy Chinwo, known for hits like “Testimony” and “Igwe,” has not responded to these counterallegations or requests for comment.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
