A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an arrest warrant for Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, over allegations of financial misconduct.

Justice Alexander Owoeye granted the warrant on Thursday following an ex parte motion filed by Bilikisu Buhari, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge adjourned the case to January 24, 2025, for Onyedikachukwu’s arraignment.

The arrest warrant stems from a petition filed by Mercy Chinwo to this he EFCC, accusing Onyedikachukwu of financial impropriety. According to the petition, Onyedikachukwu had allegedly been collecting royalties from Chinwo’s digital platforms and events without disclosing the earnings.

The EFCC revealed that Onyedikachukwu is accused of diverting approximately $345,000, a sum meant to include the singer’s share, into personal accounts.

In her petition, Mercy Chinwo reportedly claimed she discovered the discrepancies after conducting an audit of her accounts, which revealed significant undeclared revenues from her digital and event-based earnings.

The EFCC has vowed to ensure that Onyedikachukwu is brought to justice, describing the allegations as a serious breach of trust and a violation of professional ethics.

As of now, Mercy Chinwo has not made a public statement regarding the court’s decision.