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Inside the Mercy Chinwo and EeZee Conceptz Fallout

Inside the Mercy Chinwo and EeZee Conceptz Fallout

Mercy Chinwo and EeZee Conceptz

Mercy Chinwo’s battle may be personal, but the lessons from it apply to a broader spectrum of artistes—whether in Gospel or secular music—who must ensure that contracts are fair, boundaries are respected, and legal protections are in place.

By Abioye Damilare Samson

Gospel music has always been held up as something sacred. It’s a genre often seen as a higher calling and untouched by the transactional nature of secular music. But in the age of multi-million streaming deals, big-budget concerts, and industry-savvy brands, that ideal can sometimes feel naive. 

The reality, however, is that music—no matter the genre—is a business first. While audiences may hold on to the idea of Gospel music as a pure, untainted ministry, the artistes—like their Pop or Afrobeats counterparts—must navigate the complexities of contracts, royalties, and intellectual property rights. 

And when things go awry, the fallout can be as public and contentious as the split between Gospel sensation, Mercy Chinwo, and her former label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, better known as Dr. EeZee Tee, the founder of EeZee Conceptz, the label she was once signed to. 

For the past few days, conversations about their split have sprawled across social media, birthing speculations and think pieces in equal measure. But beyond the noise, what really happened? What set the wheels of this dispute in motion? 

For Afrocritik, I dug deep to piece together the story behind Mercy Chinwo’s exit from EeZee Conceptz.

The Genesis of the Dispute

On January 16, 2025, news broke that a Nigerian court had ordered the arrest of Mercy Chinwo’s manager over allegations of a $345,000 fraud. This revelation set the stage for different claims and counterclaims that soon followed. 

At the heart of the issue was a disagreement over ownership of Mercy Chinwo’s music catalogue and alleged breaches of contract.

Mercy Chinwo
Mercy Chinwo

On the 17th of January, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, CEO of EeZee Conceptz and Mercy Chinwo’s former manager shared a long post on his Instagram page where he claims he invested significant resources—both financial and otherwise—into building the Gospel singer’s career. 

He accused Chinwo of attempting to lay claim to a catalogue she did not financially contribute to despite benefiting from the platform he created for her. 

Onyedikachukwu disclosed that Chinwo had received over $625,000 in earnings during her time with EeZee Conceptz but alleged that she had failed to deliver a promised third album and had withheld funds owed to the label from various events and content monetisation. “I founded the label that built your platform, put food on your table, and gave you opportunities beyond your dreams”, he shares.

Mercy Chinwo’s Side of the Story

On January 25, 2024, Mercy Chinwo finally broke her silence through a statement from her legal team shared on her Instagram page. 

She alleged that towards the end of 2019, the third year of her five-year contract, Onyedikachukwu had begun pressuring her to extend her contract from five years to twelve. When she refused, citing other career plans, the dynamic of their relationship changed drastically.

She recounted instances of verbal and emotional abuse, claiming that Onyedikachukwu had threatened to “deal with her” and “shut her up” if she did not comply with his demands. Matters escalated when she requested a copy of her contract in 2020, which was only handed over to her after the contract expired in November 2022. 

According to Mercy Chinwo, she discovered that the contract had been tampered with—what was initially a 2017 document had allegedly been altered to appear as if it had been signed in 2019. This forged document, she claims, was used to extend control over her career post-contract expiration.

On January 28, 2024, Chinwo released a video where she broke down in tears while narrating her ordeal.

The Relationship Before the Fallout

Before things soured, Mercy Chinwo and EeZee Conceptz had a seemingly harmonious relationship. Onyedikachukwu had discovered her as a backup singer in Port Harcourt and taken her under his wing, mentoring her and introducing her to influential figures, including his pastor, Temple Odoko. 

EeZee Conceptz
Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu AKA Dr. EeZee Tee

Their partnership officially began in 2017 with a management contract signed on her birthday—September 5.

Under EeZee Conceptz, Mercy Chinwo became a Gospel powerhouse. Her 2017 song “Excess Love” was a breakout hit, and subsequent projects solidified her as one of Nigeria’s most recognised Gospel artistes. 

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The contractual agreement between them reportedly featured a five-year term with a 50/50 gross earnings split. But as time passed, what had begun as a professional and personal bond allegedly turned toxic.

The Industry Conversation: Gospel vs. Secular Music Business

This case has ignited conversations beyond the immediate dispute, particularly about the business structure of Gospel music in Nigeria. 

Many assume that Gospel music operates differently from secular music, with less emphasis on contracts and financial transactions. However, Chinwo’s case underscores that despite the spiritual branding, the business mechanisms remain the same. 

Netizens and fans alike have weighed in on the situation. One Twitter (Now X) user remarked: “Manipulators are almost always banking on your good heart and Christian values to do you dirty. We need to change this narrative”. 

Another user emphasised the importance of legal literacy in the music business: “The only thing this Mercy Chinwo situation has reiterated is always have a lawyer as an artiste. The cost of a lawyer will infinitely be less than the shege you will see.”

What Next?

As legal proceedings unfold, the dispute between Mercy Chinwo and EeZee Conceptz is far from over. If anything, it serves as a cautionary tale for other Gospel artistes navigating the industry. 

While faith may govern the messaging of Gospel music, the business side remains as transactional as any other genre. 

Mercy Chinwo’s battle may be personal, but the lessons from it apply to a broader spectrum of artistes—whether in Gospel or secular music—who must ensure that contracts are fair, boundaries are respected, and legal protections are in place.

Abioye Damilare is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment Industry. Reading new publications and listening to music are two of his favourite pastimes when he is not writing. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle

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