In what he described as a bold move to uphold the integrity of the Performing Musicians Employer Association of Nigeria (PMAN), the President, Mr. Pretty Okafor, has announced the immediate sack of Mr. Bem Faga Paul, the Assistant General Secretary of the association.
An investigation into serious misconduct allegations, which revealed actions deemed highly detrimental to the union’s interests, led to the decision.
Mr. Pretty Okafor issued a formal notice of termination to Mr. Bem Faga Paul on August 28, 2024, citing several grounds for the decision. The termination letter highlighted the following serious offences that led to this decisive action:
The letter accused Mr. Bem Faga Paul of deliberately causing harm to PMAN’s reputation and progress, thereby jeopardizing its members’ interests.
Additionally, Mr. Bem Faga Paul’s performance fell well short of the expectations for an Assistant General Secretary, demonstrating a lack of effective leadership and management.
The letter further detailed allegations that Mr. Bem Faga Paul had received funds from Olusco Heritage Properties through Boniface Itodo to foment a crisis within the union, a severe breach of trust and ethical standards.
Unauthorized Financial Transactions: The letter also alleged that Mr. Bem Faga Paul received monies from state chapters under the false pretense that the President, Mr. Pretty Okafor, authorized the transactions.
The most critical accusation was that Mr. Bem Faga Paul staged a “coup” against President Pretty Okafor while he was away on official PMAN business.
The recently restored reputation of the union suffered significant damage as a result of this act.
Investigation and Review:
The office of the President thoroughly investigated the allegations against Mr. Bem Faga Paul.
After reviewing the findings in accordance with PMAN’s constitution and rules, it was concluded that Mr. Bem Faga Paul’s actions were unacceptable and called for his immediate dismissal.
The decision underscores the commitment of President Pretty Okafor and the PMAN leadership to uphold the association’s values and protect its integrity.
The termination process requires Mr. Bem Faga Paul to return all PMAN properties, including documents and equipment, to the National Secretariat within 48 hours.
Failure to comply with this directive will result in further action by the association.
Okafor emphasized the expectation of full cooperation from Mr. Bem Faga Paul during this transition period.
Many within the PMAN community have praised Okafor’s swift action in this matter as a strong stance against misconduct and a reaffirmation of the association’s commitment to ethical leadership and governance.
The decision to remove Mr. Bem Faga Paul reflects the leadership’s zero-tolerance approach to actions that undermine the organization’s interests and reputation.
The PMAN National Executive Council and other relevant stakeholders have been duly notified of the termination, ensuring transparency and adherence to due process.
The termination of Mr. Bem Faga Paul serves as a clear message that PMAN remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, reinforcing the association’s reputation as a leading advocate for the rights and interests of Nigerian musicians.
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