Arraignment of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, a former manager of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo, was stalled at the Federal High Court

The arraignment of Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, a former manager of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo, was stalled at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, as the judge cited an “administrative process” stopping him from proceeding.

Justice Alexander Owoeye held that the court could not proceed until an ongoing administrative process was concluded.

Although the judge did not disclose what he meant by administrative process, Channels Television reports that, the defendant had written a petition to the Chief Judge of the court, accusing the trial judge of bias.

The anti-graft agency had filed a three-count charge of money laundering and diversion of funds against the defendant, who was present in court after failing to appear on three occasions for his arraignment.

At the last sitting of the court on February 17, the court held that the arrest warrant it made against Onyedikachukwu was still subsisting.

When the case came up before the court on Thursday, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala appeared for the prosecution. At the same time, a new counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), announced an appearance for the defendant alongside Monday Ubani (SAN), who had always represented him.
The prosecutor, then informed the court that the matter was for arraignment of the defendant who was present in court.

The Defence Counsel, Ojukwu, also informed the court that the defence was ready to proceed.