By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, granted a warrant of arrest against Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, on Thursday.
Justice Alexander Owoeye issued the order following a motion ex parte brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the manager’s arrest.
When the case was called on Thursday, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari announced her appearance for the EFCC.
Buhari informed the court of an application brought by the EFCC pursuant to Section 35(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
The counsel consequently moved the application seeking an order to issue a warrant of arrest against the manager.
She stated that the warrant would compel the manager’s appearance in court to answer to the criminal offences he allegedly committed.
Buhari submitted that if the commission was unable to arrest the manager, it would bring a public summons to declare him wanted.
The court granted the application and adjourned the case until 24 January for the arraignment of the manager.
In an affidavit in support of the application, the EFCC averred that it received a petition from Chinwo against the manager.
The affidavit was deposed by Mr Michael Idoko, an investigator with the commission.
It averred that the gospel singer alleged that the manager was receiving royalties from all her digital platforms and events without disclosure.
According to the EFCC, the gospel singer claimed that the manager diverted about 345,000 dollars without remitting her share.
It stated that efforts to arrest the manager had failed, necessitating the application for a warrant of arrest.
The court adjourned the case until 24 January for the arraignment of the manager.