The turmoil began when the NWC unilaterally suspended PMAN President Pretty Okafor over alleged financial misconduct. In response, the NEC established a five-member National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding Okafor's suspension and other related allegations.
The NDC's investigation revealed that members of the NWC had attempted to undermine the association's integrity by making unauthorized decisions and engaging in financial misconduct. Notably, the committee uncovered a payment schedule titled "NWC PAYMENT ALLOWANCE dated 3rd June, 2022," indicating that certain NWC members received payments of approximately ₦30 million each without proper authorization. Additionally, the National Treasurer, JFO Baba Ojonorgua, alleged that his signature was forged on official documents, suggesting further misconduct within the committee.
In light of these findings, the NEC has indefinitely suspended Sunny Neji (1st Vice President), Zaaki Azzay (2nd Vice President), Michael 'Ruggedman' Stephen (National Ex-Officio), and JFO Baba Ojonorgua (National Treasurer) for their roles in the alleged misconduct. Furthermore, Boniface Itodo (General Secretary) and Faga Bem Paul (Assistant General Secretary) have been relieved of their duties.
The NEC commended President Pretty Okafor for his exceptional leadership and ability to manage the crisis effectively, despite the challenges posed by the internal disputes. The council emphasized its commitment to upholding the association's constitution and ensuring that all actions taken are in line with the rules governing PMAN.
This development marks a significant moment in PMAN's history, as the association seeks to restore its integrity and refocus on its mission to support and advocate for Nigerian musicians. The NEC has pledged to strengthen internal governance mechanisms to prevent future occurrences of such misconduct and to maintain the highest standards of conduct among its members.
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