Connect with us

Entertainment

COSON Suit Against NCC Has Not Been Tried, Struck Out Nor Dismissed

Published

3 years ago

on

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Nigeria’s biggest Copyright Collective Management Organization has issued a statement signed by its General Counsel and Head of Legal, Barrister Simi Wash-Pam. The statement reads as follows:

It must now be obvious to the general public that a group made up of the controversial MCSN, Pretty Okafor, a well-known judgment debtor to the COSON Chairman and some officials of the present regime are frustrated with the failure of their never-ending attempt to destroy or pocket Nigeria’s biggest and most successful copyright collective management organization, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), with thousands of members spread across Nigeria.

The lawyers, board and members of COSON remain firm and determined that COSON which was set up for the welfare of musicians across Nigeria and to cushion their suffering will not be turned into the private ATM of a small group of people.

The latest gambit of the group is to spread the fake news that COSON is presently operating unlawfully. Earlier, the same group had been all over social media with another fake news that COSON had ceased to exist when anyone can go to the magnificent COSON House in Ikeja and witness the bubbling activities in the sparkling edifice.

We wish to bring to the notice of the general public that while COSON has filed a Notice of Appeal in the interlocutory decision in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/425/2020, between COSON and the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the suit has not been tried, struck out nor dismissed. The prayers of COSON remain live issues before the Court and there is no way that COSON can be said to be operating unlawfully without the issues being determined. Indeed, in a ruling by the Court striking out an application by MCSN to be joined in a suit filed by COSON, the court described MCSN as “a restless interloper and a vexatious intervener”.

Lawyers to COSON have also written to the NCC drawing their attention to the well-established doctrine of “Lis Pendes” forbidding anyone from taking any action which will overreach a court or impose a fait accomplice or a situation of helplessness on a Court.

The general public should be left with no doubt that Nigeria remains a democratic society and that COSON, its members and lawyers are determined and fully ready to pursue their matters and all the injustice unleashed on them by the group to each matter’s logical conclusion. For the avoidance of doubt, COSON is working.

For those interested, the prayers of COSON which remain live issues in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/425/2020, are as follow:

a. A DECLARATION that the provision in the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulations 2007 by which the Defendant has assumed the power to unilaterally suspend the licence of an approved Collecting Society without an order of court, is undemocratic, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

b. A DECLARATION that the provision in the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulations 2007 by which the Defendant has assumed the power to unilaterally revoke the licence of an approved Collecting Society without an order of court, is undemocratic, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

c. A DECLARATION that the provision in the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulations 2007 requiring an approved collecting society to apply to the Nigerian Copyright Commission to renew its licence is undemocratic, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

d. A DECLARATION that the provision in the Copyright (Collective Management Organizations) Regulations 2007 by which the Defendant has assumed the power to order the audit of a Copyright Collective Management Organization without the authorization of the society’s Annual General Meeting and without a court order is undemocratic, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

e. A DECLARATION that the directive by the Defendant without an order of court that the bank accounts of the Plaintiff be frozen is ultra vires the powers of the Defendant, illegal, unlawful, null and void.

f. A DECLARATION that by the provisions of Section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the decisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in SC 425/2010 (MCSN v. CDT & 2 Ors) and SC. 336/2008 (Adeokin Records & Alhaji Saka Alagbada v. MCSN), the Defendant cannot lawfully prevent the Plaintiff, an owner, assignee and exclusive licensee of copyright, from legally enforcing its intellectual property rights and those of its members.

g. A PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Defendant, its officers, agents, servants or privies from relying on the provisions of the Copyright Collective Management Organizations Regulations 2007 and taking any steps purporting to revoke the operating licence/ approval of the Plaintiff or in any way or manner disturbing/continuing to disturb or preventing/continuing to prevent the Plaintiff from lawfully enforcing the constitutional rights of its members, affiliates, assignees and reciprocal representation partners or interfering/continuing to interfere with the internal management, operations, funds, audits or bank accounts of the Plaintiff or disturbing/continuing to disturb or preventing/continuing to prevent the Plaintiff, its members, affiliates, assignees and reciprocal representation partners from earning income and sustaining themselves with their Intellectual Property, without an order of court.

h. Damages in the sum of N8,000,000,000.00 (Eight Billion Naira Only) for the undemocratic, unlawful and unconstitutional suspension of the approval and operating licence of the Plaintiff and the unlawful directive that the bank accounts of the Plaintiff be frozen.

i. Damages in the sum of N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira Only) for the significant loss of Reputation and Goodwill suffered by the Plaintiff and arising from the massive publicity sustained by the Defendant against the Plaintiff following the undemocratic, unlawful and unconstitutional suspension of the approval and operating licence of the Plaintiff and the unlawful directive that the bank accounts of the Plaintiff be frozen.

j. Cost of the action in the sum of Ten Million Naira only (Ten Million Naira only)

k. Interest on all damages and cost awarded at 15% per annum from the date of the award until the award is paid.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Entertainment

UBA’s REDTV premieres ‘13 Kinds of Women’ live on YouTube on Sept. 19

Published

3 days ago

on

September 17, 2024

By

UBA’s REDTV, the lifestyle entertainment channel powered by the bank has premiered its anticipated series ‘13 Kinds of Women.’

 

The 13-episode Ghanaian series, directed by award-winning filmmaker Eddie Seddoh, will be available for a global audience on YouTube this Thursday, September 19.

 

13 Kinds of Women offers an intimate look into the lives of diverse women, exploring their real-life relationship dynamics, challenges, and triumphs.

The star-studded series features some of Ghana’s most talented actors, including Prince David Osei, Harold Amenyah, Peter Ritchie, and Jasmine Baroudi, among others.

 

At the exclusive premiere event held last Friday at Silverbird Cinemas, Qazeem Bello, Chief Operating Officer at UBA Ghana, highlighted the significance of the series.

 

‘13 Kinds of Women’ is more than just a show; it’s a celebration of the strength, resilience, and diversity of women. We are thrilled to bring this powerful story to life and share it with audiences worldwide,” he said.

 

He further emphasized the bank’s commitment to fostering African creativity through REDTV.

 

“As UBA’s lifestyle channel, REDTV is dedicated to telling Africa’s stories and empowering young content creators and filmmakers across the continent.

 

“We believe in the power of storytelling to shape cultures and communities, and we’re proud to celebrate creativity and collaboration through this series.

 

“It reflects UBA’s ongoing mission to engage with our audience while supporting emerging talents in film, scriptwriting, and production.”

 

 

 

REDTV, proudly powered by UBA, continues to deliver rich and engaging content that showcases the very best of Africa, spanning fashion, news, music, sports, drama, travel, and more.

 

With 13 Kinds of Women, UBA reinforces its commitment to enriching the African creative arts industry and promoting local talent on a global platform.

 

‘13 Kinds of Women’ will be available for streaming on REDTV’s official YouTube channel from September 19.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

AFRICAN UNION WRITES SOUTH AFRICA, NIGERIA AS RACE FOR AFRIMA 2025 and 2026 HOSTING RIGHTS HOTS UP

Published

2 weeks ago

on

September 8, 2024

By

 

… As Morocco expresses interest

 

Johannesburg, South Africa –South Africa may become the host of the next two editions of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) after receiving a letter of invitation from the African Union (AU) to take advantage of the hosting rights for the 2025 and 2026 editions of the prestigious award

 

The invitation was extended through a letter with reference number HHS/CUL/16/170.23 signed by Her Excellency, Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, the African Union Commission’s Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development.

 

The Republic of Nigeria has also received a letter similar to the one about South Africa hosting the music event. This has caused excitement and discussion within the African music community.

 

The AU stated that the invitation aligns with its policies for the strategic transformation of Africa through social integration as per the AU Agenda 2063, the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, and the AU Plan for Action on Cultural and Creative Industry.

 

The AU said AFRIMA is a global platform that celebrates and develops Africa’s diverse musical talents and cultural heritage, highlighting the significant opportunities hosting such a prestigious event presents for the selected host country.

 

“Since 2014, the African Union has been partnering and working successfully with AFRIMA to develop, celebrate and promote African music globally for integration/inclusivity, economic prosperity and world peace via its seven core pillars: (1) Music Awards, (2) Music Festivals; (3) AFRIMA creative Academy; (4) Talent Discovery and Promotions; (5) Music Business Hub; (6) Advocacy; (7) Advisory and Policy Debates,” the letter reads.

 

“AFRIMA is the biggest and longest-running music award and platform in Africa, with a huge global appeal, diaspora audience, and youthful fans. The main events of AFRIMA are usually broadcast live to over 84 countries around the world after a continental and global roadshow, with thousands of music artists, actors, celebrities, members of the diplomatic corps, professionals in the creative space, tourists, media and fans from all over the world converging on the host country.”

 

The last edition of AFRIMA was successfully hosted and partnered with the government of the Republic of Senegal in the city of Dakar. The privilege of hosting AFRIMA is typically granted to a country that demonstrates the ability and determination to fulfill the requirements and conditions.

 

Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal have been reliable hosts that have helped the event grow and succeed in the past. However, South Africa’s potential bid presents the possibility of new perspectives and opportunities.

 

AFRIMA’s Country Director, Lekunutu Seboko, confirmed that his country’s government received the letter from the African Union. He added that there have been very positive reviews about the possibility of hosting the show in South Africa.

 

Seboko expressed South Africa’s eagerness to take on the hosting mantle, citing the country’s rich musical heritage and infrastructural capabilities as key assets in its potential bid.

 

He said, “South Africa has a rich musical heritage and a deep cultural renaissance. Our nation has been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of African music to a global audience. Hosting a monumental music event like AFRIMA is a testament to our ever-growing influence on the continent, musically and culturally.

 

“AFRIMA is a well-known brand in South Africa, and it would be a fantastic opportunity to host the show for the first time. Our country’s diverse culture and excellent facilities make us confident that we can deliver an exceptional AFRIMA experience. We have state-of-the-art venues, excellent transportation networks, and a diverse cultural landscape that will provide an electrifying backdrop for the awards.

 

“We are aware that South Africa is fully prepared to showcase our world-class infrastructure, vibrant cultural scene, and unparalleled hospitality. We have repeatedly demonstrated our capacity, we have hosted other world-class events, and are not oblivious to the inherent economic benefits of hosting an event like this.”

 

Corroborating Seboko, AFRIMA’s Director of Sponsorship and Partnership, Matlou Tsotetsi, said the event is poised to stimulate the economic boost expected from the influx of visitors, increased tourism, and heightened global attention.

 

“The hospitality, retail, and entertainment industries stand to gain immensely from the thousands of visitors who will be attending the event,” Lekunutu noted. “Beyond the immediate financial impact, the long-term benefits include increased investment in our creative industries and a strengthened international reputation for South Africa as a destination for major cultural events.

 

“AFRIMA is more than just an awards show; it’s a platform for showcasing African talent on a global stage. The exposure that South African artists and industries will receive is invaluable, and we expect this to translate into new opportunities for our local creatives.

 

The Acting Director for Social Development, Culture, and Sports Division, African Union Commission, Ms. Angela Martins, confirming the invitation and request to bid for the hosting rights extended to the two countries, reiterated that AFRIMA provides a unique opportunity for the host country to showcase its rich cultural heritage, develop her music sector, promote tourism, and stimulate economic growth.

 

“This call to action comes as part of the AU’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange, unity, and economic development across the African continent. We urge the governments of South Africa and Nigeria to seize this opportunity to strengthen intra-African collaboration (in line with AFCTA) within the music industry and enhance their international visibility positively.

 

“AFRIMA serves as a premier platform for African artists in Africa and diaspora to showcase their talent, gain international exposure, and connect with audiences worldwide,” she said.

 

She added that as the bidding process is inching towards its deadline, the African Union remains committed to providing support and guidance to ensure a successful hosting of AFRIMA.

 

She also reiterated the AUC’s readiness to work closely with the selected host country to maximize the impact of the event on the African music industry, tourism, general economic growth, and socio-cultural landscape.

 

According to Martins, AU, and AFRIMA are looking for African countries with appropriate infrastructure to play host to the global musical event.

 

Meanwhile, the Moroccan government has also indicated an interest in talking to the International Committee of AFRIMA on the possibility of hosting the AFRIMA main events or the build-up events to align with the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held from December 2025 to January 18, 2026.

 

 

Continue Reading

Entertainment

OKOROJI, IN A BLOCKBUSTER “NO MUSIC DAY” BROADCAST, ASKS NIGERIAN CREATIVES TO BECOME GENERALS IN THE BATTLE TO RID NIGERIA OF CORRUPTION & BAD LEADERSHIP

Published

3 weeks ago

on

September 1, 2024

By

Chief Tony Okoroji, former President of PMAN and Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Nigeria’s biggest copyright collective management organization, has called on creatives across Nigeria to become generals and foot soldiers in the battle to rid Nigeria of the rot of corruption and bad leadership.
In a blockbuster 2024 “No Music Day” broadcast streamed simultaneously on several media platforms this Sunday, September 1, 2024, Chief Okoroji said: “To my friends and colleagues in the creative industry, we can no longer hide our heads in the sand and pretend that the battle to wipe out corruption in Nigeria, and enthrone good governance, does not concern us.
“If we have accepted to live with the rot that we see everywhere in Nigeria, we must ask ourselves if it is in this rot that we want our children and grandchildren to grow up.
“So, today, on this “No Music Day” I call on everyone in the Nigerian creative family to become generals and foot soldiers in the battle to rid Nigeria of the rot of corruption and bad leadership. We must deploy our voices, our writings, our movies, skits and drama to lead the war so that when the story is told, it would be clear that we did not run from our responsibilities.
“But, if we are coming to justice, we must come with clean hands. If we are going to fight corruption, we must be sure that we are not corrupt ourselves. If we are fighting bad leadership, we have to be absolutely sure that we are not providing bad leadership ourselves. In other words, we must practice what we preach.
“So, I call on all the organizations in the creative industry to show good examples in the way we operate. Our organizations must be…I say… must be transparent and accountable. I state that no one should assume the leadership of any of our creative industry organizations without an open and clear mandate of the members from a free and fair elections conducted according the rules and constitution of the organization. In each of our organizations, the abiding object must be to uphold and fight for the interest of our members and not the hijacking of the instruments of the organization for the personal enrichment of the leaders. Let me repeat. We must practice what we preach”.
In the broadcast, Chief Okoroji said that the rampant infringement of the intellectual property rights of songwriters, composers, performers, music publishers, record labels and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative industry does not stand on its own but is part of a national malaise and a penchant in Nigeria for reaping where people did not sow which he alleged has exposed Nigerians to the free for all looting of the nation’s resources and left Nigerians with a comatose economy with millions of her citizens hungry, desperate and suffering in the midst of plenty.
Said Okoroji: “Sad as it may sound, many have concluded that there is no hope for Nigeria. Some even say that there must be something wrong with our genes.
“I say No! No! The truth is that nothing is wrong with our genes. While our politicians and so-called leaders, with their take-everything and give-nothing-in-return mentality, have left millions of Nigerians with devastating hunger, joblessness and unknown gunmen everywhere, several young Nigerians are flexing their muscles in different parts of the world and soaring in diverse fields.
“Asake, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Flavour and many more are taking what is today called afro beats to the world and filling huge venues with rapturous fans paying pounds and dollars to see them. Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal player, who now wears the shirt of the English national football team, has Nigerian genes. Victor Osimhen who has been a top scorer in the very competitive Italian Football League is a full-blooded Nigerian. Tobi Amusan who may not have won any medal at the Paris Olympics, but still holds the World Record in 100 meters Hurdles, is a Nigerian. Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate in Literature, is a Nigerian citizen. The internationally respected, master story teller, Chinua Achebe, was born and died a Nigerian. You might say that Achebe belongs to another generation, maybe. But the renowned writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who is relatively young, is a Nigerian”.
In conclusion, the life long advocate for the rights of creative people said: “I very much recognize the deep despair in the land, the hunger that threatens the life of millions of Nigerians, the insecurity that has snatched the lives of so many of our countrymen and the anguish under which many Nigerians wake up in the morning and go to bed at night.
“Nigerian creatives cannot afford to give up. We must work together for the unity of our country and the progress of our nation. We must contribute to making Nigeria a nation in which people do not brazenly reap where they did not sow and comfortably steal what does not belong to them and amass wealth which they have not earned.
“On this “No Music Day 2024”, I pray for all Nigerians who are going through trials, tribulations and hardship and beg the Almighty to please meet their needs. God bless the Nigerian Creative Industry and God bless the great people of Nigeria”.
On September 1, 2009, practitioners in the entire Nigerian creative family massed in front of the National Theatre in Lagos and for days, refused to eat or drink and demanded that the over 400 licensed broadcast stations in the country, who use music as the key raw material for their operations, should broadcast no music for a significant period of that day. So began what the creative industry has celebrated every September 1 as “No Music Day”.
*Watch the No Music Day 2024 Official Broadcast by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji on behalf of the Nigeria music industry.* Click link to watch: https://youtu.be/OC_ChF54UaA?si=1i4ka8SoMOiiwfHV

Continue Reading

Trending