Money Laundering Case Against Eezee Tee Adjourned as Court Grants Final Window for Out-of-Court Settlement
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has granted a final opportunity for settlement in the ongoing money laundering and foreign exchange violation case involving renowned gospel music executive Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu ThankGod, popularly known as Eezee Tee, and his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited.
The case, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was adjourned to September 26, 2025, following a request by Eezee Tee’s legal team, who indicated that both parties were close to reaching a mutual resolution.
Eezee Tee was arraigned on May 7, 2025, on a seven-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and unauthorised foreign exchange transactions amounting to over $397,000.
According to the EFCC, the gospel promoter, who manages high-profile artists such as Mercy Chinwo, allegedly engaged in multiple illegal forex transactions in contravention of Nigerian financial laws. The charges include a specific transaction in which $52,895 was exchanged with an individual named Salami Temitope without Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approval an offence reportedly committed in June 2023 in Lagos.
Although earlier proceedings appeared to tie the case to earnings and contractual dealings involving Mercy Chinwo, her name was dropped from the final amended charge, narrowing the case strictly to financial transactions linked to Eezee Tee and his company.
At the resumed hearing held on June 20, 2025, the EFCC opened its case by calling its first witness, Mohammed Timta, who was led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala.
However, defence counsel Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) informed the court that the parties were actively negotiating a resolution and requested what he termed a “last chance” to finalise the out-of-court settlement.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the application and adjourned the matter to September 26, 2025. He cautioned that the prosecution would proceed with a full trial if settlement efforts failed.
The case has attracted attention due to Eezee Tee’s high standing in Nigeria’s gospel music industry. While many fans associate him with spiritual and creative excellence, the EFCC insists that the law must take its course in matters involving financial impropriety.
As it stands, both parties now have until September 26, 2025, to agree on terms acceptable to the court. If the settlement talks collapse, the EFCC is expected to continue its prosecution on the strength of the seven-count charge already before the court. In the meantime, industry stakeholders and legal watchers are closely monitoring the case, which could set a precedent for how financial crimes in the entertainment sector are handled.
Observers suggest that the move toward a settlement may be strategic, allowing the defendant to preserve his reputation while enabling the EFCC to recover funds and resolve the matter without prolonged litigation. Still, critics warn that any such deal must be transparent and not perceived as a soft exit for financial crimes involving prominent individuals.
This case, involving a well-known figure in Nigerian gospel music, is shaping up to be a crucial test of how far the law stretches into the realm of celebrity and faith-based enterprise. Whether it ends in reconciliation or courtroom battle, it’s likely to leave a lasting imprint on public accountability in the creative industry.
