*Says “She Ignored Mediation Clause in Contract Agreement, Went To EFCC Instead Of Following Contract Terms”
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Nigeria’s gospel music sensation Mercy Chinwo has been accused of breaching her record label and management contract with EeZe Conceptz Limited, allegedly resulting in the victimization of the label’s founder, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu.
Addressing journalists, Maxwell Okpara, counsel to EeZe Conceptz and its founder, detailed the nature of the dispute. According to Okpara, Chinwo signed a five-year record label and management agreement with EeZe Conceptz, spanning 2017 to 2022. The agreement stipulated that the label would invest in, produce, and own the rights to three albums in perpetuity while compensating Chinwo through royalty payments.
Okpara alleged that despite the investment of “hundreds of millions of Naira” by EeZe Conceptz to develop Chinwo’s career, the gospel artiste allegedly began directly engaging in performances and recordings without notifying the label, in violation of her contract.
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“While the contract was still in effect, Mercy Chinwo refused to honor the terms of the agreement, engaging in commercial performances and releasing new music without the label’s consent,” Okpara said.
The lawyer further alleged that Chinwo filed “malicious falsehoods and criminal misrepresentations” against Onyedikachukwu with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Chinwo reportedly accused the label founder of theft and misappropriation of funds, despite being the party allegedly in breach of the contract.
This accusation, Okpara claimed, led to Onyedikachukwu’s nine-day detention by the EFCC’s Ilorin branch from April 16 to April 25, 2024. During the detention, the commission conducted an extensive audit of his accounts and reportedly found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Okpara further claimed that Chinwo, with the backing of influential figures, continued using her connections within the EFCC to harass Onyedikachukwu. On December 2024, Onyedikachukwu was invited to the commission’s office, which he attended. However, an ex-parte warrant of arrest was subsequently procured, alleging that he was evading law enforcement.
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In response to the ongoing allegations, Okpara issued a challenge to Mercy Chinwo, her legal team, and the EFCC. He called for a public review of the contract and all associated activities to determine who was at fault.
“We challenge Mercy Chinwo, her lawyers, and the Commission to a fair, public review of her agreement and all activities by both parties. This will reveal who the real bully is and who is being taken advantage of,” Okpara declared.
In addition to the development, TheNigeriaLawyer sighted a letter dated December 12, 2024, addressed to the EFCC Zonal Head in Ilorin, Kwara State. The legal team of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, led by Ubani (SAN) & Co., outlined further details of the ongoing case:
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- Detention and Payment: The letter detailed the alleged unlawful detention of Onyedikachukwu for nine days and the subsequent payment of $275,000 (approximately ₦400 million) to Mercy Chinwo under duress.
- Case File Transfer: The letter confirmed that the case file had been transferred from the EFCC office in Ilorin to the Lagos Zonal office for further review.
- Court Action: Onyedikachukwu has filed for the enforcement of his fundamental rights before Justice Depeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The court granted a motion to serve processes on the EFCC at their Lagos office, with the matter pending resolution.
- Settlement Efforts: In compliance with contractual provisions, Onyedikachukwu has initiated settlement proceedings at the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDCH) to resolve disputes with both Mercy Chinwo and another artist under the label, Judikay, who reportedly considered similar actions against the label.
- Harassment Allegations: Onyedikachukwu’s legal team raised concerns about ongoing harassment of his surety by EFCC officers in Ilorin, despite assurances that Onyedikachukwu had not breached bail conditions.
The letter emphasized that Onyedikachukwu remains cooperative and has not jumped bail.
Meanwhile, TheNigeriaLawyer’s findings show that Mercy Chinwo and EeZee Conceptz Limited had a clause in their contract stating that they will explore mediation before any party goes to court. EeZee Conceptz Limited claimed that Mercy Chinwo ignored this clause and that they have a pending mediation at the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse.
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Recounting his Journey of Faith, Talent, and Growth with Mercy Chinwo, EeZee Tee allegedly said, “Founded in 2013 in Port Harcourt, EeZee Conceptz began as an artist management service, helping gospel musicians achieve spiritual and professional growth. As the organization expanded, the need to establish a record label became evident. This dream materialized in 2017 when the company signed its first major artist, Mercy Chinwo.”
EeZee Tee allegedly recounted this pivotal moment, emphasizing the company’s journey from an artist management service to a full-fledged record label, with Mercy Chinwo being their first major signing in 2017.
“When Mercy returned in 2017, she sought a partner who believed in her gift and ministry. I saw the potential and divine purpose in her talent. It wasn’t just about business; it was about fulfilling a kingdom mandate through music.”
The partnership began on September 5, 2017, with a five-year Artist Recording and Management contract. EeZee Conceptz committed to developing Mercy Chinwo’s brand, providing financial and logistical support. This included renting and furnishing apartments, providing mobility, and establishing a music team. The company also undertook the production and promotion of Mercy Chinwo’s debut album, The Cross, My Gaze, and subsequent projects.
“We invested not only in her music but in her image and ministry,” EeZee Tee explains. “It was about transforming her into a global gospel music icon while maintaining the integrity of her faith.”
Over the years, EeZee Conceptz facilitated album launches, live performances, and promotional tours across Nigeria and beyond. The partnership saw the release of hit singles and albums, including Satisfied in 2020, which solidified Mercy Chinwo’s status as a leading figure in gospel music.
Despite the success, the relationship faced challenges. Allegations of insubordination, contract breaches, and financial disputes arose during the later years of the partnership. EeZee Tee reflects on these difficulties:
“Every partnership faces hurdles. What matters is how we approach resolution. As Christians, we aimed for reconciliation and transparency, but not every effort yielded the desired results.”
In 2022, Mercy Chinwo assumed direct control of her event bookings, leading to disputes over revenue remittance and contract obligations. The situation escalated with legal and regulatory interventions, including an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Despite these challenges, EeZee Conceptz maintained its commitment to ethical practices and transparency.
Through it all, EeZee Tee remains grateful for the journey with Mercy Chinwo and the milestones achieved together. The experience has shaped EeZee Conceptz into a stronger and more resilient organization.
“We’ve learned invaluable lessons about faith, trust, and the complexities of managing talent in the gospel music industry,” EeZee Tee shares. “Our focus remains on doing kingdom business and using music as a dynamic tool for soul-winning.”
These are the Mercy Chinwo Music tracks that EeZee Conceptz Limited claimed to have produced:
Mercy chinwo- The cross my gaze (2018)
1. Intro
2. Bor ekom
3. My responsibility
4. Incredible God
5. Receive it
6. Excess love
7. Omekannaya
8. With all my heart (feat. Chris Morgan)
9. Igwe
10. Rest (feat. Olaitan Odoko)
11. Omotalk skit
12. Regular(feat. Fiokee)
13. Imenem
14. Correct
15. I am
16. Inhedinma (feat Shady B)
Mercy chinwo- Satisfied Album (2020)
1. Baby song
2. Udeme
3. Tasted of your power
4. Onye
5. Obinasom
6. Onememma
7. Na you dey reign
8. Kosi
9. Oh Jesus
10. Akamdinelu
11. Strong tower
12. Chinedum
13. Excess Love ( feat. J.J. Hairston & youthful praise)
14. Sure thing
15. No more pain
Singles
1. Chinedum
2. power
3. Eze
4. No more pain
5. Suddenly
6. Obinasom
7. Yaweh
8. Amazing God
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