LAGOS, Nigeria – Factional board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria(COSON), presided over by its chairman, Efe Omorogbe has described the December 18 Emergency General Meeting advertised by Chief Tony Okoroji’s faction as illegal and an exercise in futility.
A statement signed by Efe Omorogbe, Sikiru Agboola, Obi Asika , Dare Fasasi, Joel Ajayi and Audu Maikori for COSON board said Chief Tony Okoroji and his board of handpicked acolytes do not have the legal authority to convene a COSON EGM and present an agenda for deliberation or execute whatever resolutions are adopted.
The board said the current status of the board is that Okoroji remains sacked as chairman of the board and that operating licence of the society remains suspended according to the regulator, Nigeria Copyright Commission ; Okoroji and his agents are currently facing criminal prosecution by the regulator; 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 emoluments).
Besides, the Omorogbe faction said Appeal process is on-going on the ruling of Justice Liman J. at the Federal High Court, Enugu adding that 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”, he said.
