A well-known music promoter in Nigeria, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu ThankGod, also known as Eezee Tee, has been arraigned in court on charges related to foreign exchange violations and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the case against him and his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The charges against ThankGod include seven counts of alleged foreign exchange violations and money laundering totaling $397,106. The case was initially heard by Justice Owoeye but was reassigned to Justice Aneke for further proceedings. One of the counts alleges that ThankGod and his company negotiated a foreign exchange transaction of $52,895 without being authorized by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Another count claims that they failed to submit a declaration of their company’s activities to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, despite receiving $137,383 into their account.
When the charges were read out in court, ThankGod pleaded “not guilty” to all of them. The prosecutor, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, requested that the court fix a date for the trial and that ThankGod be remanded in a correctional center. However, the defense counsel, Chikaozolu Ojukwu, asked the court to grant ThankGod bail on liberal terms and allow him to remain in his custody pending trial.
The prosecution opposed the bail application, citing that ThankGod had evaded service on several occasions and failed to respond to invitations from the commission, despite being granted administrative bail. The court has adjourned ruling on the bail application until May 9, 2025, and has released ThankGod into the custody of his lawyer in the interim.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to crack down on financial crimes in Nigeria. The commission has been working to prevent and prosecute money laundering and foreign exchange violations, and this case is just one example of their efforts. As the trial continues, it will be interesting to see how the case unfolds and what implications it may have for ThankGod and his company.
