August 30, (THEWILL) – The national working committee of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria, PMAN, has announced that Pretty Okafor remains suspended till after investigations, adding that the association is not in crisis.
PMAN said the public should disregard the false news that the National Executive Committee, NEC, has reversed the suspension of Pretty Okafor.
According to the group, an NEC meeting can only be convened by the current Acting President, Sunny Neji, and the General Secretary. It said both executives do not know about the purported NEC meeting.
“Please note that an NEC meeting can only be convened by the current Acting President, SUNNY NEJI, and the General Secretary, both Executives have no knowledge of the purported NEC meeting.
“We wish to clarify that the NWC has not convened any NEC meeting to discuss or determine any further actions regarding Mr Pretty Okafor’s suspension. The suspension remains in effect indefinitely. It has also come to our attention that on Sunday morning, 25th August 2024, Mr Pretty Okafor committed a grave violation of the Law by orchestrating a break-in at the PMAN Secretariat.
“Reports indicate that he sent individuals to forcefully enter the premises, allegedly searching for incriminating documents, especially the passports. This illegal act was confirmed by the security personnel on duty, who provided a confessional statement to the Police Force. The statement reveals that Mr Okafor, through one of the intruders, threatened the security staff if they disclosed the break-in.
“Please be advised that Mr Pretty Okafor remains suspended, and any statement made by him or on his behalf should be entirely disregarded. The NWC will communicate any other decisions regarding a potential date for a PMAN NEC meeting after a thorough and lawful investigation by the relevant authorities has been concluded”, the statement read.
Earlier, NEC’s disciplinary committee had announced the indefinite suspension of some of its members. It said findings by the disciplinary committee revealed that members of NWC had attempted to undermine the association’s integrity.
The statement said Neji, Zaaki Azzay, the 2nd vice president, Micheal ‘Ruggedman’ Stephen, the national ex-officio, and JFO Baba Ojonorgua, the national treasurer had been suspended after being found guilty of misconduct.
The NEC also relieved Boniface Itodo, the general secretary; and Faga Bem Paul, the assistant general secretary, of their duties.
The association commended Okafor for demonstrating exceptional leadership and his ability to manage the crisis effectively.
“The NDC’s report shed light on several misconduct by NWC members, including the unauthorised suspension of President Okafor and other chapter governors who opposed their actions,” the statement reads in part.
“A significant allegation surfaced when a State Chapter Governor confronted NWC members over receiving payments of approximately N30 million each. This claim was initially denied by the NWC members, but the NDC obtained a payment schedule titled ‘NWC PAYMENT ALLOWANCE dated 3rd June 2022’, which corroborated the allegation.
“Further, the National Treasurer of PMAN, JFO Baba Ojonorgua, claimed that his signature was forged on queries and press releases issued by the NWC, a serious allegation that suggests misconduct and fraud.”
