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The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has firmly rejected reports suggesting that its National President, Pretty Okafor, has been suspended from office, describing such claims as false, unconstitutional and misleading.
The clarification comes days after a group claiming to be members of PMAN’s National Executive Council (NEC) announced Okafor’s suspension, alleging gross violations of the association’s constitution and several administrative infractions.
However, in a strongly worded statement issued by the association’s Acting General Secretary, Elizabeth Gabriel, PMAN insisted that Okafor remains the legally recognised and judicially affirmed president of the union.
Gabriel dismissed the purported NEC meeting that reportedly led to the suspension, describing it as illegitimate and theatrical. She said no valid NEC meeting was held on the said date and accused those behind the announcement of attempting to mislead the public.
“It is truly unfortunate that on a day meant to celebrate peace and goodwill, certain individuals have chosen to descend into theatrical absurdity,” the statement read.
“Let it be stated clearly and without equivocation: no legitimate meeting of PMAN’s National Executive Council took place on the 25th of December 2025. What occurred was nothing more than a WhatsApp cosplay by a group of actors, hell-bent on creating chaos.”
According to Gabriel, the PMAN constitution clearly outlines the procedure for convening a valid NEC meeting. She explained that such meetings must be called by the General Secretary in consultation with the President, accompanied by at least three weeks’ written notice and a properly circulated agenda — conditions she said were completely ignored.
She further stressed that any gathering or resolution outside these constitutional provisions holds no legal or administrative weight within the association.
The acting general secretary also referenced an existing court order restraining individuals from interfering with PMAN’s leadership or assets. She disclosed that a subsisting interlocutory order issued by the National Industrial Court on October 30, 2025, in Suit No. NICN/LA/48/2025, expressly bars certain persons from altering the association’s leadership structure.
According to her, the same court order also restrains the Registrar of Trade Unions from recognising or acting on any purported changes to PMAN’s leadership.
She warned that disobedience to the court order amounts to a serious legal violation, adding that any actions taken in defiance of it are null, void and legally punishable.
Gabriel traced the recurring leadership crisis within PMAN to the activities of an individual identified as Olusco, whom she described as a former developer of the association’s Monaco property in Abuja.
She alleged that Olusco has repeatedly attempted to destabilise the union and was behind earlier efforts to unseat Okafor, including a similar move reportedly made in August 2024.
According to the statement, Olusco allegedly sold parts of PMAN’s Monaco property without authorisation and later used the same property to lure a company identified as G&D into a joint venture agreement.
Gabriel claimed that through this arrangement, about N350 million was allegedly obtained under questionable circumstances.
She further stated that law enforcement agencies have since established a prima facie case of obtaining money under false pretence and criminal breach of trust in relation to the matter.
“The matter is currently being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” she said, adding that investigations are ongoing.
The acting general secretary also cautioned individuals who have been appearing on television or using social media platforms while presenting themselves as PMAN leaders to desist from doing so.
She accused them of displaying a lack of understanding of the association’s constitution and embarrassing themselves publicly by spreading misinformation.
Gabriel reiterated that Pretty Okafor remains the duly elected and legally recognised president of PMAN, stressing that any attempt to undermine his leadership outside due process would fail.
She urged members of the association, stakeholders, and the general public to disregard what she described as “false narratives and illegal pronouncements,” assuring them that PMAN remains committed to lawful governance, transparency and the protection of its institutional integrity.
The association, she added, will continue to pursue all legal avenues necessary to safeguard its leadership structure and assets while ensuring stability within the union.
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