Ezekiel Onyedikachi, the music producer widely known as EeZee Tee, has declared his intention to contest the fraudulent conversion charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This announcement was made during a session at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice Alexander Owoeye.
Representing Onyedikachi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Monday Ubani informed the court that his client was unable to attend the hearing due to a severe accident earlier.
Ubani assured the court of Onyedikachi's commitment to appear at the next scheduled date to enter his plea and demonstrate his innocence.
Ubani also noted that he had filed two separate preliminary objections to the charges but intended to withdraw them.
However, when he sought to present these objections, Justice Owoeye declined, stating that the court could not entertain such motions until the defendant was present and had entered a plea, thereby establishing jurisdiction over the case.
Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) expressed concern over Onyedikachi's repeated absences, highlighting that this was the third occasion the defendant had failed to appear in court.
Oyedepo argued that if Onyedikachi were genuinely indisposed, an affidavit should have been submitted as evidence.
He urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the defendant's attendance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the court's integrity.
In response, Justice Owoeye noted that the existing bench warrant remained valid and had not been rescinded.
The judge ordered that Onyedikachi must appear at the next hearing, either through enforcement of the bench warrant or by being produced by his counsel.
The case was adjourned until March 6 for arraignment. The EFCC had accused Onyedikachi of fraudulently converting $345,000 in royalties owed to gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The initial arrest warrant was issued on January 16 following an ex-parte application by the EFCC.
Chinwo alleged that Onyedikachi diverted funds intended for her without proper remittance.
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