It seems the problems the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, is in may not be going away anytime soon based on an illegal emergency meeting being called for by the embattled president of the association.
In order to call stakeholders’ attention to the illegality and advised that they stay away from such, the association’s board has sent out press release signed by Efe Omorogbe,Sikiru Agboola, Obi Asika and Dare Fasasi.
According to the release:
This is to advise members of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), music industry stakeholders and the general public that contrary to what is being advertised, the Emergency General Meeting scheduled for December 18, 2018 is illegal and therefore an exercise in futility.
Chief Tony Okoroji and his board of handpicked acolytes do not have the legal authority to convene a COSON EGM, present an agenda for deliberation or execute whatever resolutions are adopted.
The current status is thus:
- Okoroji remains sacked as chairman of the board.
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The operating licence of the society remains suspended according to the regulator, Nigeria Copyright Commission.
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Okoroji and his agents are currently facing criminal prosecution by the regulator.
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Mareva order was issued on 30th November, 2018 on suit number FHC/L/CS/1819/2018, Premier Music Publishing Company Limited, Ivory Music Limited and another vs COSON & Others freezing all COSON accounts (save for staff emmoluments).
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Appeal process is on-going on the ruling of Justice Liman J. at the Federal High Court, Enugu and until the case is determined, Efe Omorogbe maintains his position as the legal chairman of the legal board of COSON.
Right owners should be rest assured that we will not relent in our commitment to the protection of their royalties and the building of a world class process-driven structure for collective management of copyright in music in Nigeria.
Others who signed the release are Joel Ajayi and the popular music producer, Audu Maikori.
