The ongoing leadership tussle within the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has taken a significant turn, as the Nigeria Police have cleared National President Pretty Okafor of all allegations and uncovered a coordinated plot involving forgery, fraud, and a failed attempt to hijack the union’s assets.
During a world press conference held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the PMAN National Secretariat in Lekki, Lagos, Pretty Okafor displayed a Certified True Copy of the Police Investigation Report, which confirmed his exoneration and laid bare the inner workings of what he described as an internal coup.
According to the report, there is no evidence supporting claims of constitutional violations, financial mismanagement, or forgery leveled against Okafor. It noted that his suspension—carried out while he was on official duty in Spain—contravened the association’s constitution, particularly Articles 13(C)(iv) and 18(B), and failed to follow due disciplinary procedures such as National Executive Council (NEC) deliberations or Disciplinary Committee hearings.
One of the most alarming findings was the discovery of a forged Post No Debit (PND) order used to freeze Okafor’s personal bank accounts. The police traced the forgery to a collaboration between Inspector Caleb Samuel of the IGP Monitoring Unit and a court clerk in Minna, Niger State. The clerk has since been dismissed and recommended for prosecution, while Inspector Samuel is under investigation by the Police Provost Marshal.
Also discredited was a consent judgment (Suit No. NICN/LA/360/2024), fraudulently filed and obtained without PMAN’s knowledge or representation. The judgment was reportedly used to manipulate legal outcomes in favor of the faction attempting to usurp leadership from Okafor.
The press briefing revealed that key individuals including Boniface Itodo, Faga Bem-Paul, Sunny Neji, Zaaky Azzay, and Michael “Ruggedman” Stephen illegally broke into the PMAN National Secretariat on March 1 and 3, 2025. Their occupation was disrupted by police intervention, leading to arrests.
Following these events, PMAN’s NEC met on March 16, 2025, in Abuja and removed the involved individuals from their positions, appointing interim officers in line with the organization’s constitution.
Okafor attributed the crisis to an attempt to gain control over PMAN’s expanding portfolio of assets. Under his leadership, the union has recorded significant achievements including:
* Acquisition of a permanent National Secretariat
* Launch of PMAN FM equipped with state-of-the-art broadcasting facilities
* Inception of the PMAN Abuja Monaco Project, a multi-million-naira real estate venture
The project, managed by Olusco Heritage & Investment Ltd under Mr. Olufemi Olumeyan, is now under investigation for unauthorized collection of over ₦350 million from subscribers and suspected financial misconduct. The NEC has moved to secure the union’s assets by involving an Asset Management Company.
In a show of institutional backing, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment reaffirmed Okafor’s position as National President in a letter dated May 5, 2025. The ministry also recognized the legitimacy of the October 24, 2023, National Delegates Conference in Ikeja, where Okafor and other executives were elected unopposed.
Okafor stated he has filed legal actions to overturn fraudulent judgments (Suit Nos. NICN/LA/26/2025 and NICN/LA/48/2025) and is pursuing both civil and criminal cases against those behind the coup.
“This isn’t just about PMAN—it’s about preserving due process, protecting our union, and standing up for every Nigerian musician,” Okafor said. “We will not only rebuild, but we will ensure justice is served.”