The bitter war between Pretty Okafor, President of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and Tony Okoroji, chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has taken a fresh dimension.

In a statement issued by Pretty Okafor, he said;

“When criminals are in charge of administering royalties, copyright owners will suffer. Tony Okoroji and his criminal lawyers refused to tell Nigerian musicians that COSON accounts had been frozen instead they deceived them all to come for the EGM, now you claim you want to pay royalties? Royalties to whom? Pay how? To non-intellectual property owners again???”

“We broke the news here saying that musicians shouldn’t waste their precious time and money coming to Lagos for the meeting, that it would only amount to nothing because Mr Tony Okoroji and his illegal board are operating an illegality of the highest order because all COSON operations had been suspended.”

“I’m also very surprised that Mr Tony Okoroji who has been claiming to be smarter than the institutions that put him there has not told you all that the judgment that was set aside was appealed immediately and stay on execution order granted on these frozen COSON accounts. I can also bet he will never acknowledge that because he’s busy hiding all his illegal operations.”

“Tony Okoroji and his illegal board will never tell the general public that the International music organisations like Universal music and Sony music have removed their catalogues from COSON, and have enlisted their entire repertoire with the Ghanian agency in charge of copyright administration, because of the lack of due process and transparency at Coson, in addition to that COSON does not have the license to operate in Nigeria period, this for a fact is detrimental to the Nigerian economy because of one man’s selfishness and greed.”

“Tony Okoroji and his lawyers are planning to sue Pretty Okafor, Premier Music And Ivory Music again because we froze all COSON accounts, and why? So that he won’t steal all the money belonging to musicians and stakeholders before he leaves, as this is exactly what he did to PMAN while he was the President of the Association, creating factions in PMAN. find attached the news link in allafrica.com back then. https://allafrica.com/stories/200312110698.html””

“Okoroji, be advised that you cannot file any more frivolous lawsuits because the matter is pending before the Court of Appeals and a stay of execution has been granted by the same court, so COSON accounts remain frozen, you can see how your gross incompetence will eventually land you in prison where you belong.”

“We do not activate propaganda on crisis, we only stand by the truth and the truth will surely come out, no matter how long you may try to hide it. I, Pretty Okafor, The National PMAN president sued you for one billion Naira for defamation of character and you still have not visited the case nor filled in your defence. Tomorrow, you will carry placard in front of the courts crying blue murder, claiming that judgment was gotten behind you.”

“Mr Okoroji, I will advise you to summit yourself to forensic audit on COSON operations so that your jail term may be reduced, suing the whole music industry and your directors will only prolong the day of recompense, when you will be held accountable for all the stolen and diverted funds under your watch.”