The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the former manager of gospel recording artist and performer Mercy Chinwo, Ezekiel ThankGod Onyedikachukwu, popularly known as EeZeeTee, bail in the sum of ₦20 million over allegations of a $397,106 foreign exchange transaction fraud.

According to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke who presided over the case on Friday, the bail must be secured with one surety who resides in Lagos and owns property of equal value.

The court gave EeZeeTee 72 hours to meet the condition, following his earlier release to his lawyer, Mr Ojukwu Chikaosolu.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initially charged EeZeeTee with 14 counts of fraudulent conversion but later amended the charges to seven counts, accusing him of engaging in unlicensed foreign exchange transactions.

The prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, stated, “In June 2023, the defendant, without authorisation from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), negotiated a foreign exchange transaction worth $52,895 with one Mr Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.”

READ ALSO: Mercy Chinwo close to final resolution with EezeeTee – Singer’s lawyer announces

She affirmed that this act violates Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act.

While EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to the amended charges, the case has been adjourned to 20 June 2025 for trial.

The music promoter was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

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According to the EFCC, ThankGod, along with his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited, is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge bordering on alleged foreign exchange malpractice and money laundering, amounting to $397,106.

The defendant was previously standing trial before Justice Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi before the matter was reassigned to Justice Aneke.

RELATED: EFCC secures warrant to arrest EezeeTee over Mercy Chinwo’s $340,000 royalties

Nigerian music legend 2Baba has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for a complete reform of the country’s education system, following alarming results from the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Taking to his Instagram story on May 8, 2025, the singer emphasis the need for a general reform in Africa, “We need to change our entries education system in Nigeria/ Alkebulan/Africa.” 

His comment sparked widespread agreement, with many Nigerians praising his stance and highlighting the broader failings of the current academic model.

See some reactions below:

The change needs to start from you. Allegedly

He is very right. Well said legend

Facts💯

Our educational system needs a complete mindset reset. We’re raising graduates who don’t know how to serve, lead, or innovate.

We need a system that teaches emotional intelligence, customer experience, communication, and problem-solving, not just theory. Thank you for speaking up, OG

Not just the educational system. Total haulage of every system including marriage system 😂😂

He’s actually right because why his wife no go understand the meaning of “née”

This comes after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released the official performance statistics for the 2025 UTME, revealing a stark picture of national performance trends.

According to the data, of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the examination across Nigeria, more than 1.5 million scored below 200, representing over 76% of the total candidates.

In contrast, only 4,756 candidates achieved scores above 320, while 7,658 others scored between 300 and 319.

“This statistical breakdown offers a comprehensive snapshot of this year’s UTME performance,” JAMB stated.

ALSO READ: 3 brutal truths behind why Nigerian students keep failing JAMB exams

The 2025 BET Awards are shaping up to be a celebration of Nigerian excellence, per usual, with Afrobeats stars leading the charge on the international stage. This year’s nominees list shows a strong presence of the genre’s powerhouses making global waves.

Mavin Records’ golden girl Ayra Starr scored an impressive three nominations, bagging nods for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act. Her recognition further cements her status as a global force in the music scene.

Tems, known for her haunting vocals and soulful lyricism, picked up two nominations in the BET Her category for her empowering tracks ‘Burning’ and ‘Hold On’. 

READ ALSO: Wizkid cancels multiple North America dates on ‘Morayo’ Tour; Associate reveals possible reason

The Nigerian wave didn’t stop there. Burna Boy, Rema, and Shallipopi also earned well-deserved nominations.

On the global front, Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with 10 nods, followed closely by Doechii, Future, GloRilla, and Drake with six nominations each. Metro Boomin, SZA, and The Weeknd also earned multiple nominations.

The winners will be revealed during the live ceremony on June 9 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, broadcast on BET. 

EXPLORE: What the Headies must do to regain its status as a prestigious award

Here’s the full list of nominees:

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Album of the Year

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U
Drake & Partynextdoor

11:11 Deluxe
Chris Brown

Alligator Bites Never Heal
Doechii

Cowboy Carter
Beyoncé

Glorious
GloRilla

GNX
Kendrick Lamar

Hurry Up Tomorrow
The Weeknd

We Don’t Trust You
Future & Metro Boomin

READ ALSO: Ice Prince clarifies that he, not Davido is the first African artist to receive BET award on stage

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Ari Lennox

Ayra Starr

Coco Jones

Kehlani

Muni Long

Summer Walker

SZA

Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Bruno Mars

Chris Brown

Drake

Fridayy

Leon Thomas

Teddy Swims

The Weeknd

Usher

Best Group

41

Common & Pete Rock

Drake & Partynextdoor

Flo

Future & Metro Boomin

Jacquees & Dej Loaf

Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist

Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration

30 For 30
SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar

Alter Ego
Doechii feat. JT

Are You Even Real
Teddy Swims feat. Givēon

Beckham
Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ Swervo

Bless
Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug

Like That
Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar

Luther
Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Sticky
Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne

Timeless
The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

EXPLORE: Tems, Asake, Rema, Wizkid nominated for American Music Awards 2025

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Cardi B

Doechii

Doja Cat

GloRilla

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Rapsody

Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

BigXthaPlug

Bossman DLow

Burna Boy

Drake

Future

Kendrick Lamar

Key Glock

Lil Wayne

Tyler, The Creator

Video of the Year

3AM in Tokeyo
Key Glock

A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Shaboozey

After Hours
Kehlani

Denial Is a River
Doechii

Family Matters
Drake

Not Like Us
Kendrick Lamar

Timeless
The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

Type Shit
Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director of the Year

Anderson .Paak

B Pace Productions & Jacquees

Benny Boom

Cactus Jack

Cole Bennett

Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Dave Meyers

Foggieraw

Tyler, The Creator

Best New Artist

41

Ayra Starr

BigXthePlug

Bossman DLow

Dee Billz

Leon Thomas

October London

Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

A God (There Is)
Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson

Amen
Pastor Mike Jr.

Better Days
Fridayy

Church Doors
Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)

Constant
Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula

Deserve to Win
Tamela Mann

Faith
Rapsody

Rain Down on Me
GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music

Viewer’s Choice Award

Residuals
Chris Brown

Denial Is a River
Doechii

Nokia
Drake

Like That
Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar

TGIF
GloRilla

Not Like Us
Kendrick Lamar

Luther
Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Brokey
Latto

Best International Act

Any Gabrielly (Brazil)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Basky (UK)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

Ezra Collective (UK)

Joé Dwèt Filé (France)

MC Luanna (Brazil)

Rema (Nigeria)

SDM (France)

Tyla (South Africa)

Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

Best New International Act

BET Her