A Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ruled that Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, must appear before the court on March 6 to take his plea in a $340,000 fraud case.
Presiding over the case on Monday, Justice A.O. Owoeye made it clear that the defendant’s continued absence would no longer be tolerated.
Thankgod, who is being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has repeatedly evaded arraignment, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest on January 16.
Allegations Against Thankgod
The embattled ex-manager faces three counts of money laundering and dishonest conversion of funds. One of the charges states that in 2023, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu Thankgod and EEZEE Global Concepts Limited retained $260,494 in a Zenith Bank account under EEZEE Global Ministry, despite knowing it was part of an unlawful activity involving Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo’s funds.
The alleged offence violates Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and carries legal consequences under Section 18(3) of the same law.
Defence’s Claim And Prosecutor’s Rebuttal
Despite a January 24 service of charges accepted by Thankgod’s lawyer, Monday Ubani, the defendant failed to appear in court again on Monday. His counsel claimed he had been involved in a serious accident that morning but assured he would be present on the next date.
The lead prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, however, dismissed this claim as dubious, pointing out that after the last adjourned date, the defendant was seen within the court premises granting interviews but still failed to appear for arraignment.
Calling it a “show of shame and outright disrespect for the court”, Oyedepo argued that if Thankgod was truly indisposed, he should have submitted an affidavit as proof.
Court’s Final Ruling
Justice Owoeye ruled that the court has not yet assumed jurisdiction since the defendant’s plea has not been taken. He reaffirmed that the January 16 bench warrant remains active and ordered that Thankgod must appear in court on March 6, either voluntarily or through enforcement.
The case continues to unfold, with the court set to determine the next course of action in the high-profile fraud trial.