Music producer Ezekiel Onyedikachi, popularly known as EeZee Tee, has expressed his readiness to prove his innocence in the fraudulent conversion charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Monday, during the hearing of the case at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Onyedikachi’s lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, assured the court that the defendant would be present at the next hearing to take his plea and defend himself.
Ubani informed the court that although he had filed two preliminary objections to the charge, he would be withdrawing them. When the case was called, the lawyer explained that Onyedikachi had been involved in a terrible accident on the day of the hearing but would be available for the next hearing.
The court, presided over by Justice Alexander Owoeye, noted that it had not yet assumed jurisdiction over the case because the defendant’s plea had not been taken. The prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), argued that the defendant’s continued absence from court was disrespectful and urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel his appearance.
While the defense objected to the bench warrant, promising that Onyedikachi would appear personally, the prosecutor insisted on the necessity of a legal instrument to ensure the defendant’s attendance.
In a short ruling, the court reaffirmed that a bench warrant issued earlier for the defendant’s appearance still stood. The case has been adjourned until March 6 for Onyedikachi’s arraignment, either by the bench warrant or by production through his defense counsel.
