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Mercy Chinwo Breaks Silence On Alleged Exploitation By Former Manager

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Renowned Nigerian gospel artist Mercy Chinwo has spoken out about alleged mistreatment by her former manager, Ezekiel ThankGod, also known as EezeeTee.

In a statement released by her legal team, Chinwo accused him of financial misconduct, emotional abuse, and attempting to sabotage her career.

According to the statement signed by her solicitor, Pelumi Olajengbesi, EezeeTee manipulated financial reports from music platforms such as YouTube, Africori, and Symphonic to withhold earnings from Chinwo.

He allegedly altered contracts to claim ownership of her songwriting credits and diverted her digital streaming revenue for two years.

A key revelation from the statement alleges that after her contract expired in September 2022, Chinwo was given a forged version of the original agreement.

The document, allegedly altered in 2019, extended her obligations beyond the initial five-year term. Legal investigations reportedly confirmed these discrepancies, with Chinwo’s team challenging EezeeTee to release the original 2017 contract to the public.

Chinwo also claimed that EezeeTee deliberately obstructed her professional engagements. Her management allegedly informed event organizers that she was unavailable or charged exorbitant fees to deter bookings.

In one instance, EezeeTee reportedly told a church that Chinwo was suffering from a terminal illness to cancel a performance.

Despite efforts to reconcile, including gifting EezeeTee a luxury SUV, their relationship deteriorated further. Chinwo eventually sought legal intervention.

During an investigation by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), EezeeTee admitted to withholding $274,000 in earnings, which was subsequently recovered.

Following a mediation attempt, EezeeTee initially agreed to an out-of-court settlement but later filed lawsuits against Chinwo and the EFCC. Reports suggest he has since been charged with fraud, with a warrant issued for his arrest.

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Chinwo, who has remained largely silent on the matter, reaffirmed her faith and resilience.

“The Lord has settled me and wiped away my tears,” she stated, while urging EezeeTee to publicly clarify the status of their contracts.

Despite the controversy, the gospel star remains focused on her ministry and music, thanking fans for their prayers and support.

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Full list of winners at Oscars 2025

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US actress Mikey Madison attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP)

Here are the winners in key categories for the 97th Academy Awards, which were handed out in Hollywood on Sunday.

“Anora” was the big winner of the night, with five Oscars: best picture, best director, best actress, best film editing and best original screenplay.

Full list of winners below:

Best picture: “Anora”

Best director: Sean Baker, “Anora”

Best actor: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”

Best actress: Mikey Madison, “Anora”

Best supporting actor: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”

Best supporting actress: Zoe Saldana, “Emilia Perez”

Best original screenplay: Sean Baker, “Anora”

Best adapted screenplay: Peter Straughan, “Conclave”

Best international feature film: “I’m Still Here” (Brazil)

Best animated feature: “Flow”

Best documentary feature: “No Other Land”

Best film editing: Sean Baker, “Anora”

Best costume design: Paul Tazewell, “Wicked”

Best production design: Nathan Crowley and Lee Sanders, “Wicked”

Best makeup and hairstyling: “The Substance”

Best original song: Clement Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard, “El Mal” from “Emilia Perez”

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Burna Boy’s mother bags nomination for Best Manager at Music Week Awards

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Bose Ogulu, mother of Grammy winner and Nigerian singer Burna Boy, has been nominated for Manager of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards.

Organisers of the award on Wednesday announced Ogulu’s alongside other contenders for the highly coveted trophy.

This year’s Music Week Awards is scheduled to hold on May 8 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, United Kingdom.

Other nominees for the Manager of the Year, a category that highlights the best management talents in global music industry, include Alistair Goldsmith, Neil Hughes, and Wes Banton.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Music Week Awards celebrates excellence in the music industry, including labels, A&R, live events, and management.

Winners for the annual award are selected through peer voting and an independent panel of judges.

NAN also reports that this is not the first time, Burna Boy’s mum is clinching international award, as she won the Manager Of The Year at the 2022 Artist & Manager Awards in London.

Ogulu, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign languages and a Masters of Arts in Translation from the University of Port Harcourt, is from a family deeply rooted in arts and culture.

She is the daughter of Nigerian music critic, Benson Idonije, who managed Fela Kuti, and she was also one of Fela’s background dancers.

She built a successful career as a translator for the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and is proficient in English, French, German, Italian, and Yoruba.

Her role as manager is acclaimed to have played pivotal role in her son’s rise stardom on the global music stage, securing major deals and international recognition.

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Among other initiatives, she co-founded Spaceship Collective, supporting African artists and expanding the reach of Afrobeats worldwide.(NAN)

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Why I Don’t Support Disrespectful Wives—Nollywood Star

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Funke Akindele, the Nigerian filmmaker, says despite being a feminist, she does not encourage women being disrespectful to their husbands.

A feminist is someone who advocates the political, economic, and social equality of women.

In a video addressing skit maker Kamo State and his wife, the filmmaker said she rejects the notion that women are the “weaker sex,” emphasising that they are “strong and bold”.

She urged men to treat women “specially” and not confine them to traditional roles of being in the kitchen.

She further stressed the importance of women’s economic power, advising them to secure financial independence to support their husbands.

“I’m a feminist but I do not support a woman disrespecting her husband. Do what is right,” she said.

“I believe that we are not the weaker sex or vessel. Men are suppose to treat us specially and respect us. Men should not also feel that a woman belongs to the kitchen and can be talked to anyhow.

“We women are strong, and bold. Also, our economic power is important that is why we should make sure we have the power and protect it so we can support our husbands.”

Akindele and producer Abdulrasheed ‘JJC Skillz’ Bello tied the knot in London in 2016 and welcomed a set of twin boys in 2018.

But in June 2022, JJC Skillz announced his separation from Akindele, citing “irreconcilable differences”.

The singer claimed he tried to address the situation but the matter is now “beyond repair.”

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