…suspension is illegal, not binding – Okafor
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has suspended its president, Pretty Okafor, indefinitely, effective immediately.
The suspension follows a comprehensive investigation into Okafor’s actions, which were found to be in gross violation of the PMAN Constitution and financial regulations.
Unconstitutional actions, financial misconduct, and violations of constitutional duties are among the infractions that led to Okafor’s suspension, according to a statement that Per Second News obtained on Friday.
Specifically, Okafor admitted to unconstitutionally involving non-members of the NWC in an international trip and withdrew ₦7,000,000 from the PMAN biometric registration account without required approval.
Okafor responded to his suspension by stating that only the association’s National Executive Council (NEC), which consists of the governors of the states across the country, has the constitutional authority to suspend him.
Okafor denied misappropriating funds, stating, “The money was a loan pending when my personal payment comes in.”
He also highlighted his contributions to PMAN, including initiating businesses and bringing in funds.
According to Persecondnews, NWC has ordered Okafor to give up all PMAN assets, documents, and properties in his possession, as well as to avoid PMAN property in Abuja and the PMAN Secretariat in Lagos until further notice.
In the meantime, Mr. Sunny Neji, the 1st Vice President, will assume the role of Acting President of PMAN in accordance with the PMAN Constitution.
The suspension has sparked a heated debate within PMAN, with some members supporting Okafor’s contributions and others welcoming the NWC’s actions.
In his further reaction to the allegation levelled against him, Okafor, in a WhatsApp call with Per Second News, said he was currently in Spain and could not take a normal call placed to his phone number.
“Only the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association made up of the governors of the states across the country is constitutionally empowered to suspend me.”
Okafor explained that he had requested the loan to cover expenses for an official business trip abroad, as PMAN owed him over ₦297 million in commissions for various projects he initiated. He also pointed out that other NWC members had taken loans from PMAN without paying them back.
Okafor denied misappropriating funds, stating, “The money was a loan pending when my personal payment comes in.” He also highlighted his contributions to PMAN, including initiating businesses and bringing in funds.
Furthermore, Okafor revealed that the suspension was a result of his refusal to share funds meant for PMAN radio station equipment.
“They tried to impeach me because I didn’t share the funder’s money with them. We agreed to build a radio station, and I got a developer and a funder. We opened a bank account, and they said they wanted the investor to pay the developer directly, but I said no.
“That it should be paid into the account we opened. We bought the transmitter and other equipment worth over 100 million naira, but they said we should share the money, and I said no.”
Okafor dismissed the suspension, stating, “They want to suspend me, but they have not been to the office in one year. Only the NEC has the power to suspend me, and they have not told me so.
“Those who claimed to have suspended me are jokers, and I will face them when I return to Nigeria, as I am currently in Spain.
“Just because I refused them from sharing the money meant for the PMAN radio station equipment.”
“NEC is the highest decision-making body, and they haven’t told me I have been suspended. When they do, I will walk away from PMAN.”
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