The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed charges against gospel music label EeZee Conceptz and its founder, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, for allegedly exploiting gospel singer Judith Kanayo, popularly known as Judikay.
Judikay, who was signed to the label under a five-year management agreement from February 2019 to 2024, accused the label of falsifying accounts and misappropriating royalties totaling £800,000.
The singer’s petition, submitted to the EFCC in June 2024, detailed claims that EeZee Conceptz partnered with digital platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music to license, distribute, and sell her musical works without her knowledge. She alleged that the label fraudulently retained payments from these partnerships and altered financial records to conceal the earnings.
According to Judikay, the label’s actions deprived her of rightful income from the sale and licensing of her music. In her petition to the Federal High Court in Lagos (suit number FHC/L/578/2), she accused the company and its founder of fraudulently converting over £800,000 in proceeds.
The EFCC’s investigation also uncovered related allegations from another gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo, who accused Onyedikachukwu of diverting $345,000 in revenue owed to her.
The EFCC subsequently filed a three-count charge against EeZee Conceptz and Onyedikachukwu, with lead counsel Rotimi Oyedepo accusing the label of unlawfully converting royalties meant for Judikay and Chinwo.
In the charges, the EFCC outlined several instances of dishonest fund retention in the label’s Zenith Bank account:
- $260,494 in 2023, linked to revenues owed to both singers.
- $112,985 in 2022 from similar sources.
- $69,892 in 2023, also identified as funds dishonestly converted.
The EFCC stated these actions contravene the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
An audit by Pearson Consulting Limited further revealed discrepancies in revenue credited to Judikay from YouTube earnings between 2019 and 2023, with a variance of $26,601. The report also highlighted that EeZee Conceptz retained $264,109 in undistributed income meant for its artistes.
A previous high court order had authorized Onyedikachukwu’s arrest following Mercy Chinwo’s allegations. The EFCC continues to pursue legal actions as investigations unfold.
