The months-long leadership crisis rocking the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has taken a dramatic turn, as Nigeria Police investigations have cleared National President Pretty Okafor of all wrongdoing and exposed a complex plot involving forged court documents, unauthorized financial transactions, and attempts to hijack the union’s assets.
At a world press conference held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the PMAN National Secretariat in Lekki, Lagos, Pretty Okafor presented a Certified True Copy of the Police Investigation Report, which emphatically vindicates his leadership and uncovers the motives behind the failed internal coup.
According to the report, there is no evidence supporting allegations of constitutional breaches, forgery, or financial impropriety leveled against Okafor. The complaints, which culminated in his illegal suspension while he was on official assignment in Spain, were found to be in gross violation of PMAN’s constitution, particularly Articles 13(C)(iv) and 18(B).
Furthermore, the Police determined that proper disciplinary procedures—such as NEC deliberation and Disciplinary Committee hearings—were never followed.
Among the most damning revelations was the exposure of a forged Post No Debit (PND) order allegedly procured to freeze Pretty Okafor’s personal bank accounts. The police linked this fraudulent order to Inspector Caleb Samuel of the IGP Monitoring Unit and a court clerk in Minna, Niger State.
The clerk has been dismissed and referred for criminal prosecution, while the inspector is under investigation by the Police Provost Marshal.
In addition, the Police discredited a fraudulent consent judgment (Suit No. NICN/LA/360/2024), filed without PMAN’s knowledge or participation. The judgment was orchestrated to lend legitimacy to the plotters and manipulate the legal system from outside Lagos jurisdiction.
The press conference also revealed that individuals involved in the failed coup—including Boniface Itodo, Faga Bem-Paul, Sunny Neji, Zaaky Azzay, and Michael “Ruggedman” Stephen—illegally broke into and occupied the PMAN National Secretariat on March 1 and 3, 2025. Their actions prompted police intervention and subsequent arrests.
Following this, the National Executive Council (NEC) convened on March 16, 2025, in Abuja and removed all offending members from office. Acting officials were appointed in accordance with PMAN’s constitutional provisions.
In a startling disclosure, Okafor revealed that the entire crisis was rooted in efforts to take control of PMAN’s growing assets. Under his administration, PMAN had achieved several historic milestones:
* Acquisition of a fully owned National Secretariat
* Launch of PMAN FM with cutting-edge broadcast equipment
* Flag-off of the PMAN Abuja Monaco Project, a multi-million-naira property venture
In 2024, Olusco Heritage & Investment Ltd, headed by Mr. Olufemi Olumeyan, was contracted to manage the Monaco Project. Investigations have now revealed:
* Unauthorized collection of over ₦350 million from subscribers
* Failure to meet project obligations
* Suspicion of illicit financial transactions under forensic scrutiny
The NEC has now resolved to safeguard these investments through an Asset Management Company, ensuring that PMAN’s properties and funds remain protected from further exploitation.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on May 5, 2025, officially reaffirmed Pretty Okafor’s position as National President, with the association’s headquarters recognized at the Lekki Secretariat. The letter recognizes the valid National Delegates Conference held on October 24, 2023, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, where Okafor and other executives were elected unopposed.
Okafor disclosed that he has initiated legal action to stay and overturn the fraudulent judgment in Suit Nos. NICN/LA/26/2025 and NICN/LA/48/2025, pledging to pursue civil and criminal sanctions against all conspirators.
“This isn’t just about PMAN—it’s about defending due process, integrity, and the rights of all Nigerian musicians,” Okafor told reporters. “We will not only rebuild, but we will also pursue justice—without compromise.”
