Entertainment
Court Confirms Validity of Arrest Warrant Against Mercy Chinwo’s Ex-Manager
Mercy Chinwo and Ex-manager Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu. The duo’s relationship have been fractured in the last weeks owing to contractual issues. Photo combo: Instagram@EeZee
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the arrest warrant for Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, remains in effect.
Justice Alexander Owoeye made this known at the resumption of proceedings in the matter on Monday.
In documents put before the court, Chinwo had alleged that the defendant diverted the sum of 345,000 dollars representing royalty due to her.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and fraudulent diversion of funds filed against him.
At a previous sitting of the court, the EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala had told the court that the prosecution was unable to effect service of the charge on the defendant who had made himself unreachable.
The court subsequently granted the application of the EFCC and issued a warrant for the arrest of the defendant.
At the last sitting of the court on January 24, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, had appeared for the defendant and sought to vacate the arrest warrant.
But the EFCC reminded the judge that the defendant was evading being served with the charge and this was the basis of the warrant.
The EFCC counsel then sought permission from the court to serve the defendant’s charge on his counsel.
Following the court’s nod, Buhari-Bala served the charge on Onyedikachukwu through his lawyer, Ubani.
The court then adjourned for the arraignment of the defendant.
When the case was called on Monday, Ubani again announced appearance for the defendant, while Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo appeared for the EFCC.
Ubani then informed the court that the case ought to be for the arraignment of the defendant, but that the defence had a notice of preliminary objection challenging the charge before the court.
The judge then asked the counsel, “Where is the defendant?”
In response, Ubani told the court that he received a call from the defendant, who said he had a terrible accident this morning. The counsel assured the court that the defendant will be available at the next adjourned date.
When Ubani sought to move and argue his objection, the judge declined to hear him until the defendant appears before the court.
Justice Owoeye held that the court had not assumed jurisdiction over the case since the plea of the defendant had not been taken.
On his part, the prosecutor, Oyedepo described the procedure adopted by the defence as strange. He cited section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, as well as several judicial authorities and also urged the court not to hear the defence.
Oyedepo said, “My lord, it is a show of shame and outright disrespect of this court, for the defendant to be absent on three different occasions in a criminal trial.”
The prosecutor informed the judge that shortly after the court rose at the last adjourned date, the defendant was seen within the court’s premises, granting media interviews. He described it as a shame and complete dishonour to the court for a defendant to exhibit such an attitude.
Oyedepo also told the court that if actually the defendant was indisposed as represented by his counsel, then it ought to be deposed by way of affidavit, to serve as proof before the court.
In the circumstance, Oyedepo asked the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the attendance of the defendant before the court, adding that same is important to protect the integrity of the court.
Ubani countered by objecting to the request for a bench warrant. He undertook to personally produce the defendant at the next adjourned date.
In a short ruling, the judge held that from his records, an earlier bench warrant issued by the court still subsists as it had not been withdrawn.
The court consequently held that the defendant is to appear in court on the next adjourned date for his arraignment.
Based on the agreement of counsel, the court adjourned the case to March 6 for arraignment of the defendant.
Lagos based grassroots radio station, Miliki 101.3 FM has given recognition and cash awards to the best three callers on its programmes, as the station marks it’s 4th year anniversary.
The recipients of The Best Caller Award are Mrs Oluwafunmilola Anike Salami who came first with Oluwafunmilayo Oba and Oluwafunmilayo Onafuwa Julius coming second and third respectively.
Thanking guests at the 4th anniversary reception and award presentation program held on Tuesday, at the Ojodu Abiodun, Lagos office of Miliki FM, Chief Henry Ajomale, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the station said listeners and callers around the globe have kept the Miliki dream alive since the past four years.
The Chairman who was in company with his wife, Adetoun and son, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, praised the members of staff for their dedication and transparent efforts which he posited, has ensured the station continue to maintain its King Of The Air wave status ( Oba Ori Afefe)
Also speaking at the grand event,President of Miliki Radio Fans Club, Mr Sanni Adegbenga Taofik thanked Chief Ajomale for the initiative of the broadcast station to appreciate it’s listeners with the annual award, he said has become a tradition since the station had it’s first anniversary.
Taofik said “four years ago, Miliki Radio came on air with a promise to entertain, inform and connect with the people, especially at the grassroots and to preserve the Yoruba heritage by promoting its culture. Today, that promise has become a Movement”
He said as Fans, “we can boldly say that Miliki Radio is not just a station on the dial. It is a family.
“Your programs, your music, your news and your community engagement have made Miliki Radio 101.3fm not only the heartbeat of Lagos and Ogun States being your domiciled environment, but the world at large as I can testify many listen to Miliki via the internet”
Otunba Jide Oni, the Chairman, Isolo LCDA, Otunba Adebayo Olasoju and the Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA Hon. Monsuru Oloyede were some of the other dignitaries who graced the colourful event.
Lagos based grassroots radio station, Miliki 101.3 FM has given recognition and cash awards to the best three callers on its programmes, as the station marks it’s 4th year anniversary.
The recipients of The Best Caller Award are Mrs Oluwafunmilola Anike Salami who came first with Oluwafunmilayo Oba and Oluwafunmilayo Onafuwa Julius coming second and third respectively.
Thanking guests at the 4th anniversary reception and award presentation program held on Tuesday, at the Ojodu Abiodun, Lagos office of Miliki FM, Chief Henry Ajomale, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the station said listeners and callers around the globe have kept the Miliki dream alive since the past four years.
The Chairman who was in company with his wife, Adetoun and son, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, praised the members of staff for their dedication and transparent efforts which he posited, has ensured the station continue to maintain its King Of The Air wave status ( Oba Ori Afefe)
Also speaking at the grand event,President of Miliki Radio Fans Club, Mr Sanni Adegbenga Taofik thanked Chief Ajomale for the initiative of the broadcast station to appreciate it’s listeners with the annual award, he said has become a tradition since the station had it’s first anniversary.
Taofik said “four years ago, Miliki Radio came on air with a promise to entertain, inform and connect with the people, especially at the grassroots and to preserve the Yoruba heritage by promoting its culture. Today, that promise has become a Movement”
He said as Fans, “we can boldly say that Miliki Radio is not just a station on the dial. It is a family.
“Your programs, your music, your news and your community engagement have made Miliki Radio 101.3fm not only the heartbeat of Lagos and Ogun States being your domiciled environment, but the world at large as I can testify many listen to Miliki via the internet”
Otunba Jide Oni, the Chairman, Isolo LCDA, Otunba Adebayo Olasoju and the Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA Hon. Monsuru Oloyede were some of the other dignitaries who graced the colourful event.
Tears and grief enveloped Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Family members, friends, sympathisers, fans and colleagues of the late actor gathered in his home town to pay their final respects as the burial rites were conducted.
Among those seen at the residence of the deceased were his close associates and colleagues, including Yinka Quadri, Prince Jide Kosoko and Ireti Osayemi.
An Islamic cleric also addressed those gathered at the residence, delivering a message as the burial rites progressed.
The body of the actor, wrapped in white clothing, was carried in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Hassan died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a battle with cancer. His daughter, Kira, had announced his death during an Instagram Live session, while his colleague, Saidi Balogun, also confirmed the development in a social media post.
The death of the veteran actor has continued to generate reactions across the Nigerian film industry, with colleagues, fans and admirers mourning his passing.
Hassan was a prominent figure in the Yoruba-language film industry and featured in numerous Nigerian movies during his career.
As he was laid to rest in Ilaro, mourners gathered to bid farewell to the actor whose death has left family, friends, colleagues and fans grieving.
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