THE Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, has appealed to all parties involved in the crisis rocking the organisation to sheath their swords and allow the Nigerian Copyrights Commission, NCC, to probe and carry out forensic audit of the COSON’s accounts.

In a statement issued by the COSON, the organisation said: “We implore all parties to please adhere to the ruling of the NCC and allow the proposed probe and forensic audit that the NCC has asked to be carried out.

“As a body, we have resolved to follow this situation to a legal and logical conclusion and ask all artiste managers, to join in this agitation. We don’t get paid if our clients don’t get paid, let us therefore secure the rights and livelihood of our clients. We are all affected, big or small, known or unknown, international or local,  our rights must be protected. We must all be involved and make COSON work.”

According to the society, since December 7, 2018, it had become apparent that there was problem in the COSON and concerted efforts were made to gather the facts and “not pay attention to any mud being slung.”

The body said: “Despite the fact that Mr. Efe Omorogbe is not only a bonifide member, but a founding member of our association, we decided to adhere to the principles of “Audi Alterem Partem” (let the other side be heard as well) and give both sides a chance to present the facts as they see it.

“We had a meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 with Chief Tony Okoroji and his team comprising of Director at COSON, Azeezat Allen, Mr.  Tony Allen, the MD of COSON,  Mr.  Chinedu Chukwuji, the COSON consultant from Edo state, COSON Head of New Media, Mr. Tolu Balogun, while Association of Music Artiste Managers of Nigeria (AMAMN) was represented by the President,  Sijuade Adedokun,   PRO Godwin Raphani Omadibi,  Ayodeji Alawemo (member, AMAMN), Mr. Lanre Lawal (member, AMAMN), Benjamin Omesiete (member, AMAMN) and Mr. Oladehinde Fajana (member, AMAMN).

“A week later, Tuesday, February 20, 2018, AMAMN met with Mr. Efe Omorogbe and Mr.  Joel Ajayi, AMAMN was represented by the President, the PRO, Mr. Michael Odiong (member, AMAMN), Mr. Chinedu Adigwe (member, AMAMN), Benjamin Omesiete (member, AMAMN) Mr. Lanre Lawal (member, AMAMN). Both meetings were held at Radisson Blu hotel,  Ikeja and were STRICTLY fact finding meetings. They both gave us their narrative and we are presently engaged in the course of cross checking the facts received.”

Nevertheless, the body would want members to cooperate with the NCC to do its work for the sake of peace and harmony in the professional body.

– Feb.  21, 2018 @ 16:10 GMT |