Connect with us

Uncategorized

PRETTY OKAFOR SLIGHTS TONY OKOROJI

Published

5 years ago

on

WHERE ARE THE MUMU FOLLOWERS OF TONY OKOROJI, YOU ALL LINE UP HERE….. YOU SEE
THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS COME OUT – PRETTY OKAFOR

YOU CAN’T BENEFIT FROM SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT -MCSN TELLS COSON AND TONY OKOROJI.

The gloves are off and the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) is ready to counter the many lies peddled by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and its erstwhile Chairman Tony Okoroji in the public space in relation to COSON’s legal status following the expiration of its approval by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the recent attempts by the society to benefit from the Supreme Court judgments achieved by the MCSN in Suit Nos. 336/2008 between Adeokin Records Co & Anor vs MCSN and SC. 425/2010 between MCSN vs. Compact Discs Technologies &Ors.

In a public statement signed by the Chairman of MCSN, Orits Williki, in the week, MCSN stated clearly that the management of COSON is being clever by half in its attempt to hide under the Supreme Court judgments to operate illegally and muddle up the copyright business environment.

The statement recalls that for decades Okoroji branded MCSN as a criminal organisation because MCSN rightly defined its legal status as an owner, assignee and exclusive licensee of copyright.

“While Okoroji was basking in his falsehoods, MCSN concentrated on its cases before the courts and was making progress silently.

The big bang came on December 14, 2018 when the Supreme Court entered judgment in favour of MCSN in MCSN vs Compact Discs Technologies & Ors case which is reported in (2019) 4 NWLR (Pt.1661) 1.

No sooner than when this happened that the Board of Directors of COSON which elected Okoroji as Chairman, voted to remove him as chairman, but rather than bow to the legal authority of its Board, Okoroji launched a major warfare against the people who helped him to form and grow COSON. The crisis led to the suspension of COSON’s licence/approval to operate as a collecting society/CMO. Now the approval has expired altogether”, the statement stated.

It further stated that having ran COSON into a jam, Okoroji has now launched a major scheme to continue to bamboozle the general public that COSON does not require the approval or licence of NCC to operate.

“Without an iota of shame, Okoroji and his team are claiming to rely on Supreme Court authorities. The cases from which they are drawing their authority are not mentioned, but it is clear that they are pointing to the MCSN’s judgments at the Supreme Court.
What a shameless summersault by Okoroji who for over twenty years derided MCSN for sticking to and defending its legal status as owner, assignee and exclusive licensee of copyright “.

The statement claims that for the sake of clarity and to give a lie to the new found status of COSON, the Supreme Court judgments particularly in the MCSN vs Compact Discs case, the main plank upon which the judgment was entered in favour of MCSN was that the Copyright Act of 2004 or the Copyright Amendment Decree of 1999 CANNOT operate retroactively against MCSN which had been in existence and operating since 1984.

COSON which came into existence post 1999 or 2004 cannot claim not to be affected by the provisions of the Copyright Act 2004 or Copyright Amendment Decree1999.

“Now Okoroji and COSON want to distance themselves from being “the sole government approved collecting society for musical works and sound recordings” with which they rode rough shod over the copyright space for the past 9 years. They have suddenly forgotten that they rode into collective administration of copyright in musical works and sound recordings on the wings of the approval granted to them by the NCC. They suddenly forgot that all the monies they made in those nine years were made in the name of being an approved collecting society. They suddenly forgot that all the court judgements they claim to have won at the Federal High Court were on the basis of their claim of being approved or licensed by the NCC as a collecting society or CMO. Yet they do not want to operate under the Law and regulations which brought them into being. They should be told in clear terms that they cannot eat their cake and still have it “.

In conclusion the statement made it clear that MCSN and its staffers who suffered from Okoroji’s instigated persecution for more than ten years will go after Tony Okoroji and COSON to demand compensation for damages and trauma caused them and their businesses in the last ten years as they shall be hearing from its lawyers.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Uncategorized

Nigerian transparency watchdog demands Immediate release of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro, public apology from police

Published

2 weeks ago

on

May 7, 2024

By

 

The Nigerian Transparency and Accountability Watch Group, a non-partisan organization dedicated to upholding transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, has issued a fervent call for the immediate release of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro, who has been detained by the Nigeria Police under unclear circumstances.

 

Amb. Dr. Otunba Adegbenro, a distinguished diplomat and grandson of renowned figures in Nigeria’s history, including Pa Alfred Rewane and Alhaji Aloye Dauda Soroye Adegbenro, was taken into custody on 26th April 2024. Despite his significant contributions to social justice and security in Nigeria, the reasons behind his detention remain shrouded in mystery.

 

In a public statement issued today, Comrade Zakari Hashim, the National Coordinator of the Nigerian Transparency and Accountability Watch Group, condemned the arbitrary his detention as a violation of his fundamental rights.

 

Hashim emphasized the importance of upholding due process and ensuring fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of their status.

 

“As an organization dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability within Nigeria, we strongly condemn any actions that undermine the fundamental rights of individuals,” stated Hashim.

 

“The arbitrary detention of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro without clear justification is a blatant violation of his rights and is inconsistent with the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”

 

The Nigerian Transparency and Accountability Watch Group has called upon the relevant authorities, including the presidency, the Inspector General of Police, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to intervene and secure the immediate release of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adegbenro.

 

Additionally, the organization has demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his detention to ensure accountability for those responsible.

 

Comrade Hashim reiterated the group’s commitment to monitoring the situation closely and advocating for justice and accountability in Nigeria. “We remain steadfast in our pursuit of transparency and accountability,” he affirmed.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Former education minister, Kenneth Gbagi dies at 62

Published

2 weeks ago

on

May 4, 2024

By

A former Minister of Education and industrialist, Kenneth Gbagi, has died at the age of 62.

Gbagi was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the last election in Delta State.

He was reported to have died on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

This was confirmed in a statement released by his family.

The statement, signed by his eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi, read, “It is with profound sadness but gratitude to God that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother.

“Olorogun Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, former Minister of Education, departed this life on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62.

“We take comfort in the fond memories of his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the lives of countless individuals and communities.

“We kindly request your thoughts and prayers for our family during this challenging time of loss.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Ex Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Wife, others To Be Arraigned April 17 Over Dollar Video…..

Published

1 month ago

on

April 10, 2024

By

The Kano High Court is set to arraign Kano State’s immediate previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on April 17, 2024, on charges of bribery, diversion, and theft of money, including the alleged acceptance of $413,000 and N1.38 billion in bribes.

Haruna Dederi, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, confirmed the situation, saying Ganduje would be charged with his wife and six others.

The accused individuals named in the summons are Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

The Kano State Government, which initiated the criminal suit against the eight respondents, has declared its readiness to present 15 witnesses to testify before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.

“It is very true. We have filed the case and it’s going to hold on the 17th of April, 2024. What I cannot confirm is whether he is served or not, but he will definitely be served,” he said.

Dederi further highlighted the significance of accountability in governance, remarking, “What he (Ganduje) doesn’t understand is that you cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you, and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us that are also in government now.”

The commissioner also addressed the jurisdictional aspect of the case, asserting,
“He was saying that we can’t prosecute him, forgetting that the offence also falls under the category of the state offences,” he said.

“It’s not totally a federal affair and we have even appealed to Justice Liman ruling on that.”

Continue Reading

Trending