The Nation Newspaper

Tag: sues

  • Ex-manager sues Unilever for N100m

    A former Procurement Manager at Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mrs Grace Okafor, has sued the company at the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere for alleged assault.

    She is demanding N100million damages for alleged battery by a senior, Segun Oguntoyinbo (second defendant).

    Okafor said her problems began when she refused to take bribe from a supplier and reported the matter to the company.

    She said though the supplier was banned, her colleagues bullied her “in what appeared to be a strong disapproval for the role played by the claimant in blacklisting the supplier and the attendant consequence”.

    The claimant said matters got to a head when she was redeployed and was subsequently issued with a redundancy letter and asked to leave despite her excellence performance.

    Claiming that she was victimised for blowing the whistle, she said she was denied access to the company’s system “long before the exit date agreed.”

    Okafor said the second defendant informed her that an e-mail to that effect was sent to her, which she said she did not receive.

    She said Oguntoyinbo eventually promised to print out the mail for her, but never did.

    She said he instead tried to force her to acknowledge receipt of a document which content did not explain her early dismissal.

    Okafor said she had signed the acknowledgment copy of documents he brought to her only to realise that the content was different.

    The claimant said as she rejected documents and made to leave, Oguntoyinbo grabbed hold of her, “twisted her arm to recover the acknowledged copy, but could not as the claimant held on tightly to it and got hurt in the process”.

    She claimed she was “detained” at the exit gate by security officers who told her the second defendant directed that she must not be allowed to leave.

    Okafor said it took the intervention of her line manager Mr Faruuq Igbal for her to be allowed to leave.

    She is praying for a declaration that Oguntoyinbo “unlawfully and unjustifiably” assaulted her on February 16, 2017 at Unilever’s premises.

    The claimant said he “hostilely applied force” to her person, “thereby committing battery” against her.

    Okafor is praying the court to hold that Unilever “is vicariously liable for the unlawful and unjustifiable interference with the person of the claimant by the second defendant who committed the acts complained of in the course of his employment and duties to the first defendant.”

    The claimant is urging the court to declare that her unlawful detention in Unilever’s premises breached her fundamental rights to personal liberty.

    She wants the court to order Unilever to tender an unresolved apology to her “for the acts of physical assault, battery, unlawful detention and public embarrassment she had to suffer”.

    In addition to the N100million damages, Okafor asked for N1million being cost of instituting the suit.

    But, the defendants denied Okafor’s claims and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    Unilever and Oguntoyibo said: “Nobody demanded anything from the claimant at the exit gate of the first defendant’s facility. The claimant tore the acknowledged copy of the letter referred to,” the defendants said.

    Besides, the defendants said the claimant was examined at the company’s clinic the following day.

    “Diagnoses showed no sign of pains in her left arm and she undertook her exit medical clearance the same day,” the defendants averred, adding that Okafor’s claims were “unfounded, unreasonable and a gold-digging exercise”.

    Justice Kazeem Alogba fixed January 25 and 26 for trial.

  • NGO sues PSC, IGP over planned demotion of 3,791 officers

    A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG), has sued the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, over planned demotion of 3,791 offficers.

    In the suit before a Federal High Court, Lagos, GAFAMORG is seeking a declarative perpetual orders to restrain the Police Service Commission  (PSC) from effecting the planned demotion of over 3,791 police officers promoted between 2016 and 2018.

    The GAFAMORG, established for keeping alive the memory and ideals of the late human rights crusader, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fahenmi (SAN), claimed it instituted the action  in the public interest and defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).

    Joined as co-defendants in the suit No. FHC/CS/2011/2018, are the newly constituted PSC headed by Alhaji Musiliu Smith (IGP rtd), and the incumbent IGP.

    The suit, which is yet to be assigned to a judge, is supported by 62-point affidavit in support of the originating summons, by a human rights lawyer, Debo Adeleke, defending the down-trodden and staunch member of the GAFAMORG, the plaintiff.

    According to the deponent, the suit was prompted by a press conference by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on October 2, 2018, when it was confirmed to newsmen that PSC had set up a panel headed by a retired Justice of Supreme Court, Justice  Clara Binta Ogunbiyi, (a member of the PSC), to review promotions made by the Police between 2016-2018.

    It was also averred that the planned demotion of the concerned officers was earlier confirmed by Olayinka Balogun, a retired police commissioner and Personal Assistant to the PSC Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, on September 19, 2018.

    Besides, the deponent also averred that a letter titled: “Re: Planned Demotion of Police Officers Promoted between 2016 and 2018 by the newly constituted board of the Police Service Commission”, dated September 23, 2018 by the IGP addressed to the PSC Chairman, was sighted by the plaintiff to buttress the fact that the planned demotion was not a mere rumour.

    Upon this discovery, the plaintiff said it wrote the PSC Chairman, pleading for a change of the planned action and to serve as a pre-action notice, which was yet to be responded to.

    “That the silence and or refusal to respond to our letter by the 1st Defendant is an indication that it planned to go ahead with the proposed demotion of officers promoted by the former PSC Board between 2016-2018 on recommendation of the IGP, based on their gallant performance, despite our pleadings,” the deponent averred.

    The deponent further argued that more worrisome was the inclusion of 45 gallant officers attached to the IGP Intelligent Response Team (IRT) headed by a courageous officer named DCP Abba Kyari and other police officers promoted by the PSC.

    The deponent further averred: “That the 45 officers of IRT were given special promotion consequent upon their investigation, successful  tracking and finally arresting the notorious billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudume Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans and his 21-member kidnapping syndicate”.

    He further argued that the concerned officers were recommended and approved  for promotion in line with the Nigerian Police policy on promotion and Force Orders by the IGP.

    It was further noted that the promotion was based on special performance to encourage and motivate the officers for improved performances.

    “That it is a fact that not only incontrovertible, but highly indubitably contested that IRT led by DCP Abba Kyari and his gallant officers have been exceptionally professional, efficient, committed, dedicated and superlatively courageous in carrying out their duties.

    “That the IRT officers led by Abba Kyari have distinguished themselves as special corps that believe in the corporate existence of our dear motherland and in the course of fighting crime in our society, they constantly stand the risk of sacrificing their precious lives in the course of carrying out their lawful duties galantly.”

    Part of achievements of the concerned officers, which the authorities considered worth appreciating and rewarded, according to the plaintiff, include: capturing of the deadliest kidnapper in the history of Nigeria, Henry Chibueze, a.k.a. Vampire in Owerri;  arrest of 22 Boko Haram terrorist gang responsible for kidnapping of Chibok girls in 2014 and responsible for series of suicide bombings/several attacks and ambush against security agents in Borno,  Yobe and Adamawa states.

    Others include: Arrest of notorious criminal, who threatened to kill former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar and  his entire family and arrest of 25 bank robbers, who invaded Offa, Kwara State and robbed five commercial banks, the gang also murdered over 31 innocent Nigerians.

    Urging the court to consider granting his prayers and halt the planned demotion,  the deponent averred that the affected officers will be highly demoralised and it will adversely affect their performances and consequently the security of the country will be negatively affected if the planned demotion is allowed.

  • Fayose sues EFCC for N20b over security watch list

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has made good his threat to sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for placing him on its watch list.

    The anti-graft agency wrote an advisory to key security agencies, demanding that Fayose be arrested if he attempts to flee the country through land, sea and air borders to escape justice.

    Fayose, on September 3, threatened to sue the EFCC if it failed to withdraw the advisory within 72 hours.

    The governor said the action “not only breached his constitutional immunity, it also exposed him to public opium and ridicule”.

    He also demanded the publication of a written apology to all security agencies in Nigeria, three national newspapers and the social media.

    It was gathered yesterday that Fayose, through his counsel, Mr. Obafemi Adewale, filed the suit last Friday, following the failure of the EFCC to meet the governor’s demands.

    The EFCC, through its official twitter handle @officialEFCC on July 16, tweeted: “The parri is over, the cloak of immunity is torn apart and the staff broken, Ekiti Integrated Poultry/Biological Concepts Limited N1.3 billion fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon.”

    Fayose is seeking, among other things, an order of the court mandating the EFCC to pay N20 billion as general damages to him for what he called “flagrant, deliberate, pre-meditated and reckless libel and unprovoked attack on his character and reputation and the breach of his constitutional right/immunity as an incumbent governor”.

    He demanded that the EFCC should tender a written apology, which should be circulated to all security agencies in Nigeria and same should be published in at least three widely read national newspapers and through the social media.

    The governor is also seeking a declaration that the statements contained in the EFCC letter, dated September 12, and addressed to all security agencies in Nigeria, portrayed him as a criminal, a fugitive and a run-away from the law.

    According to him, the statements are not    true, but are malicious and unfair.

    Fayose urged the court to further declare “that the EFCC’s letter placing him on a watch list and directing his arrest on sight, even while a sitting governor, is unconstitutional, as same offends the clear provision of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which clothes him with immunity against arrest and prosecution as an incumbent governor”

  • Bayelsa sues Fed Govt over sharing of oil revenue

    The Bayelsa State government has filed a suit at the Supreme Court  against the Federal Government over sharing of oil revenue.

    The suit with reference number SC 386/2018, was filed under Civil Summons Order 3 Rule 5 of the Supreme Court by its Attorney-General.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is the defendant in the matter.

    The state, through its counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), is praying the apex court to declare that by the provision of Section 44(3) and Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, all revenue collected from the sale of crude oil by or for the Federal Government should be paid into the Federation Account.

    “A declaration that by virtue of section 162(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, all revenue collected shall be paid into the Federation Account except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Department charged with foreign affairs and residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “An order that the Federal Government to pay plaintiff  N136,266,385,850.96 and N154,719,603,662.84 being money payable to the plaintiff by the defendant from Federation Account between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017 pursuant to the provision of section 1 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act and under the Domestic Crude Oil sales Revenue regime of the defendant but which were withheld by the defendant and represented to have been used to settle Petroleum subsidy without the plaintiff consent.’’

    The Bayelsa government  therefore prayed the Supreme Court to restrain the federal government,  whether by itself, it’s agencies, servants, privies, officers representative or otherwise howsoever called from utilising any part of the revenues collected from the sale of crude oil which otherwise payable into federation Account to pay for or cover petroleum subsidy.

    In the plaintiff witness statement on oath deposed to by the Commissioner for Finance, Maxwell Ebibai, it was averred that various activities of federal government under its petroleum subsidy have resulted in continuous dwindling of Federation Account revenue to the detriment of its state because of the unlawful deduction from source.

    It also said unlawful deduction has adversely affected the money paid to states and Bayelsa as well as 13 percent derivation fund being paid to the its state from the Federation Account.

    In its 28-paragraph statement of claim, the plaintiff claimed that N6,430,890,322,306.37 was not spent on petroleum subsidy as claimed by the Federal Government but withheld as “Withheld Fund”.

    The plaintiff averred that between January 2011 and December 2017, the revenue collected from crude oil sales lifted by the Federal Government under its Domestic Crude Oil Sales Revenue regime amounted to N15,259,070,879,388.50, out of which only N8,828,180,557,087.12 was remitted to the federation accounts.

    The plaintiff further stated:  N6,430,890,322,306.37 was deducted by the Federal Government from the source and presented to the other states of the federation and the plaintiff to have been used to settle petroleum subsidy and associated costs.

    “Despite repeated demands by the plaintiff, and indeed other states of the federation, the Federal Government has not been able to show evidence of  N6,430,890,322,306.37 as claimed.”

    The plaintiff further stated that the Federal Government has deprived of oil-producing states of N836,015,741,899.83 out of ‘withheld fund’ based on 13 per cent derivation formular, including the plaintiff’s share amounting to N136,266,385,850.96 which remain unpaid to the plaintiff by the federal government.

    The plaintiff further averred that continuous use by the federal government, part of the monies payable to the federation account to settle petroleum subsidy without plaintiff consent, has subjected the plaintiff to double jeopardy because it has been deprived of its share of 24 percent of the revenue which is divisible amongst the 36 states of the federation pursuant to Section 1 of the Allocation of Revenue Act.

    The Supreme Court is yet to fix a date for suit’s hearing.

  • ‘Illegal’ ex-parte order: Honeywell sues bank for N72b

    Honeywell Group has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against Ecobank Nigeria.

    It is claiming N72 billion damages over an alleged illegal ex-parte order obtained by the bank against the group’s assets.

    Honeywell said the suit followed a July 13  Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the Court of Appeal verdict dismissing the ex-parte order on the basis that it “was a clear breach of the provisions of the winding up rules.”

    Honeywell (and its subsidiaries) had obtained some facilities from the defunct Oceanic Bank (now Ecobank).

    A dispute arose as to the settlement of the facilities said to be to the tune of N3.5 billion.

    While Honeywell claimed to have made full and final settlement of the facilities, Ecobank disagreed.

    The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria’s (CIBN) Sub-Committee on Ethics and Professionalism (Bankers’ Committee) ruled that the payment of N3.5 billion by Honeywell was a full and final settlement of its obligations to Ecobank.

    Dissatisfied with the resolution, Ecobank threatened to publish Honeywell’s name as a debtor and to include the company in its list for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) CRMS portal for non-performing loan accounts.

    Honeywell sued Ecobank, praying Justice Mohammed Idris to declare that Honeywell and its subsidiaries were no longer indebted to Ecobank.

    Ecobank had obtained an ex-parte order from another judge of the court limiting Honeywell’s access to its accounts.

    The order, however, was said to have been granted with a guarantee by Ecobank to pay damages to Honeywell in the event that the order ought not to have been made in the first place.

    In a judgment delivered on March 20, 2016 on Honeywell’s appeal against the order, the appellate court held: “The lower court’s ruling was sketchy vis-à-vis the available affidavit. Therefore, the exercise of justice was too extreme in the Interim Order. The ruling of Yunusa J. is thereby set aside.’’

    The Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s judgment, and as well the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction to hear to suit filed by Honeywell.

    Honeywell, in the fresh suit, is claiming N72 billion for losses allegedly suffered as a result of Ecobank’s application to obtain the order against Honeywell and some of its subsidiaries.

    The claims, according to Honeywell, are based on an undertaking by Ecobank that it would “pay damages for injuries or losses occasioned to the respondent in the event that the said ex-parte order was frivolous or a sham”.

    Honeywell said the undertaking further provided that “on receiving due notification of the amount of such damages (Ecobank) undertakes to pay the same as may be directed by the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court.”

  • APC group sues Ondo Exco, others over council poll

    A group in the Ondo State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Unity Group (UG), has sued against the party’s executive committee at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    UG is seeking the rejection of the list of candidates for the December 1 council election.

    Joined as defendants are: State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), attorney-general/commissioner for Justice, APC State Chairman Ade Adetimehin and National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

    The development is said to be the fall-out of the controversial congress from ward to national levels in May and June.

    It was learnt some members were allegedly denied access to participate in the congresses.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Akure, the capital, Chairman of the group, Idowu Otetubi, accompanied by its Secretary, Gani Muhammed, recalled that UG held parallel congresses from ward to state levels in the 203 wards and 18 councils in the state.

    Otetubi said the group produced its executives, despite alleged persecution, intimidation and attacks of members and some reporters at the BTO Hall in Akure, where the state congress was held.

    He said: “After the congress, we submitted the result to the national body of the party and copied the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Unfortunately, the former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, did not allow our list to see the light of the day.

    “We have continued to carry on as a party executive, which was elected through the party’s congresses conducted in substantial compliance with the APC Constitution and guidelines.”

    Otetubi said UG had continued to defend policies of the APC administration at the national level and mobilised for the party daily.

    The spokesman hailed the leadership under Oshiomhole for doing a good job.

    He added: “We are elated that the National Executive Committee (NEC) had adopted direct primary at all levels to nominate candidates for the 2019 general elections. We are not unaware of the unpatriotic stand of some of our governors, who have been in the forefront of kicking against the most democratic system of nominating candidates.

    “We are not surprised by the stand of those handpicked executives in the states. We know they are afraid of any direct contest. All they want is to be handpicked as candidates of the party, which shall be counter-productive.”

    According to him, UG has 75 per cent of APC members in Ondo, and will resist imposition of “unpopular candidates”.

    Otutebi said: “We are aware of an attempt to conduct local government election in Ondo State. It is very unfortunate that only Aketi’s (governor’s) group had access to the nomination forms, as members of our Unity Group have also been illegally excluded.

    “We wish to state that the Adetimehin-led executive in Ondo State is not competent to submit the list of candidates to ODIEC because it did not emerge through a congress in accordance with the party’s guidelines.

    But Adetimehin insisted that Unity Group members are not APC members.

    He described them as spoilers of the ruling party who he said will not succeed in their “mischief”.

  • Firm sues NNPC, Total over contract

    An oil and gas consultancy firm, Contraco Limited, has sued the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and others at the Lagos High Court for $31 million (about N11.16 billion) for allegedly denying its client a contract it won after a competitive bid.

    The others are Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, Samsung Heavy Industries Company Nigeria Limited and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

    The suit before Justice S.S. Ogunsanya is over a contract for the supply of an Oil Offloading Terminal for OML 130 (Egina Field Development).

    The contract, worth $3.9billion, with a capacity of 200,000bpd, was awarded to Samsung.

    It is the largest Floating Production Storage Offloading unit ever installed in Nigeria and the largest FPSO built by the Total Group worldwide.

    Contraco said Total published an invitation in 2009 for tender pre-qualification for the contract, which was a production sharing contract between Total and NNPC for the supply of an Oil Offloading Terminal for OML 130 – Egina Field Development.

    Hyundai indicated interest in the Tender and commenced talks with the Contraco to act as its consultants to the bid which was done in 2011.

    According to Contraco, at end of the evaluation of the commercial bids, its client, Hyundai, was adjudged to be the lowest responsive evaluated bid.

    The plaintiff said by Section 24 (3) of the Public Procurement Act, its client won the bid and should ordinarily have been awarded the contract.

    Contraco said when the NNPC continued to delay the contract, Hyundai wrote former President Goodluck Jonathan on July 29, 2012 to ensure that it was awarded the contract on time.

    The claimant said rather than award the contract to Hyundai, NNPC gave Samsung the opportunity to amend its bid without giving Hyundai the same opportunity, a move which the plaintiff said contravenes the Public Procurement Act.

    Contraco said since NNPC and Total had allegedly illegally seized the contract from Hyundai, it (Contraco) was denied one per cent commission which would have been $31million.

    The plaintiff, therefore, prayed for “an order against the defendants for payment of the sum of $31m being  one per cent commission the plaintiff would have realised having fulfilled its obligation under the Consultant Agreement dated April 11, 2012 but for the defendants’ intentional interference with the Consultant Agreement dated April 11, 2012 between the plaintiff and the 3rd defendant.”

    It also asked the defendants to pay N30million as cost of its legal fee.

    Total and Hyundai have entered conditional appearances and have filed preliminary objections challenging the competence of the action on jurisdictional grounds.

    They are also challenging the plaintiff’s locus standi (legal right) to file the claim.

    The case will come up on June 21.

  • APC chief sues National Assembly over 2019 elections schedule

    APC chief sues National Assembly over 2019 elections schedule

    The sequence of the 2019 elections has become the subject of a legal battle.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Anike Nwoga, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Enugu, challenging the Bill passed by the National Assembly.

    The Bill changed the sequence of the 2019 elections, earlier adopted and published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Nwoga, who is the Zonal Vice Chairman of APC in Enugu East Senatorial District, filed the suit March 2 through his lawyer, Godwin Onwusi Esq.

    In his motion on notice, supported by 25-paragraph affidavit, Nwoga is praying the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from assenting to the Bill pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The motion on notice was brought pursuant to orders 26 and 28 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honourable court,

    Aside the National Assembly, which was listed as the 1st defendant/respondent, others listed as 2nd to 4th  defendants/respondents in the suit are INEC, the President and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federaion (AGF).

    Apart from the prayer for interlocutory injunction restraining the President, 3rd defendant, from assenting to the bill, Nwoga is also praying for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the National Assembly from overriding the President’s veto, should he decide to veto the bill pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The plaintiff pleaded for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC from complying with the sequence of elections contained in the bill passed and such further orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstance, pending the deterrmination of the substantive suit.

    Specifically, the plaintiff,  is asking the court to, among other things, determine:

    *”whether the National Assembly in exercise of its lawmaking powers can make laws to compel INEC to exercise the powers to organize, undertake and supervise elections conferred on it by the constitution in a particular sequence”;

    *”whether the National Assembly in exercise of her law making powers can make a law to change the sequence of elections, already adopted and published by INEC, pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the constitution”; and

    *”upon the determination of the questions, to make the following orders.

    “A declaration that the National Assembly cannot make laws to compel Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to exercise the powers conferred on it by the constitution to conduct election in a particular order.

    “A declaration that the recent bill adopted by the two chambers of the National Assembly, which altered the sequence of the 2019 elections, already adopted and published by INEC pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the constitution, is a usurpation of the constitutional powers of INEC, hence unconstitutional.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd defendant from assenting to the bill changing the sequence of elections, already adopted and published by the 2nd defendant, when it is presented to him for assent.

    “An order restraining the 2nd defendant from complying with the sequence contained in the bill or the Law, if assented to by the 2nd respondent.

    “Any further or other orders or consequential Orders that the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the case.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing.

  • Nigeria sues U.S. varsity

    Nigeria sues U.S. varsity

    The Federal Government has sued a United States university, accusing it of mishandling scholarship students’ access to funds meant for rent, books and food.

    The government has joined dozens of Nigerian students in a lawsuit against Alabama State University, which dates back to 2016.

    It also accused the university, which has been traditionally for black students, of charging them for accommodation they did not use and classes they did not take.

    The university has said it did nothing wrong, telling local media it “adhered to and complied with every instruction and direction given to the university by the Nigerian government regarding that agreement”.

    It admitted the Nigerian government was owed $202,000 after everything was paid, but said it had deposited it in an account.

    But Anthony Ifediba, who is representing the students, said they believe the university might have withheld as much as $800,000.

    He told the Montgomery Advertiser the Nigerian government had paid Alabama State about $5 million, which was meant to cover tuition and living costs for all students.

  • COSON: Group sues for peace

    COSON: Group sues for peace

    •As NCC reportedly annuls return of Okoroji

    Following the ongoing leadership tussle between supporters of Chief Tony Okoroji and Mr. Efe Omorogbe in the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, the Association of Music Artiste Managers of Nigeria, AMAMN, has said the time is ripe to mend fences.

    This was just as reports say the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has annulled the return of Okoroji as Chairman of the society.

    Okoroji was returned as COSON chairman at an extraordinary general meeting held on December 19, 2017, days after Efe Omorogbe was installed by the board of COSON.

    Qed.ng reports that the annulment is contained in a letter dated February 19, 2018 with reference number NCC/DG/I/66 signed by the commission’s Director General, Afam Ezekude.

    The regulatory body added that it will act within its oversight function to examine the books of COSON and advise as appropriate.

    According to a statement from AMAMN, the association, on a fact-finding mission, met on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 with Chief Tony Okoroji and his team. A week later, it met with Efe Omorogbe and Mr. Joel Ajayi on ways to resolve the ongoing crisis.

    It says: “Despite the fact that Mr. Efe Omorogbe is not only a bona fide member, but a founding member of our association, we decided to adhere to the principles of “Audi Alterem Partem” (let the other side be heard as well) and give both sides a chance to present the facts as they see it.”

    The association therefore implores both parties to comply with the position of the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) in the matter.

    “The regulator has finally spoken and we are grateful.  We implore all parties to please adhere to the ruling of the NCC and allow the proposed probe and forensic audit that the NCC has asked to be carried out.

    “As a body, we have resolved to follow this situation to a legal and logical conclusion and ask all artiste managers, to join in this agitation. We don’t get paid if our clients don’t get paid; let us therefore secure the rights and livelihood of our clients.” AMAMN says.