COSON license has expired, apply now, stakeholders tell Okoroji

LAGOS, Nigeria – The factional management board of Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON after an emergency board meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2019 has passed a resolution directing the management of the CMO to formally apply for the renewal of its operating licence with immediate effect.

By 5:00 PM on Monday 20th May, 2019, the operating licence of COSON would have expired making it criminal for the once widely admired collective management organisation to collect licensing fees on behalf of thousands of rights owners. 

“While this ugly eventuality may appear to offer short term breather for the embattled Tony Okoroji and his cronies whose intransigence have resulted in the suspension of the license since April 2018, it is a major setback for writers, composers, performers, labels and publishers whose works and investment produce the music that drives many a business within and outside Nigeria”, the board said.

It has become a matter of necessity for the stakeholders, represented by the legal COSON Board comprising Efe Omorogbe, Joel Ajayi, Sikiru Agboola, Obi Asika, Dare Fasasi and Audu Maikori to direct management to apply for renewal of the operating licence of COSON with immediate effect.

“The board and members hereby issues a stern warning to the management of COSON that the consequences of conniving with Okoroji, puppet members of his rogue-board and toxic acolytes to strip the society of its hard-earned approval thereby depriving members of their duly earned royalties, will be dire”, the board said.

It added that every one shall be held accountable for his or her role in this sordid drama and make no mistake, everyone will pay for their actions.