The months-long leadership crisis rocking the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has taken a dramatic turn, as Nigeria Police investigations have cleared National President Pretty Okafor of all wrongdoing and exposed a complex plot involving forged court documents, unauthorized financial transactions, and attempts to hijack the union’s assets.

At a world press conference held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the PMAN National Secretariat in Lekki, Lagos, Pretty Okafor presented a Certified True Copy of the Police Investigation Report, which emphatically vindicates his leadership and uncovers the motives behind the failed internal coup.

According to the report, there is no evidence supporting allegations of constitutional breaches, forgery, or financial impropriety leveled against Okafor. The complaints, which culminated in his illegal suspension while he was on official assignment in Spain, were found to be in gross violation of PMAN’s constitution, particularly Articles 13(C)(iv) and 18(B).

Furthermore, the Police determined that proper disciplinary procedures—such as NEC deliberation and Disciplinary Committee hearings—were never followed.

Among the most damning revelations was the exposure of a forged Post No Debit (PND) order allegedly procured to freeze Pretty Okafor’s personal bank accounts. The police linked this fraudulent order to Inspector Caleb Samuel of the IGP Monitoring Unit and a court clerk in Minna, Niger State.

The clerk has been dismissed and referred for criminal prosecution, while the inspector is under investigation by the Police Provost Marshal.

In addition, the Police discredited a fraudulent consent judgment (Suit No. NICN/LA/360/2024), filed without PMAN’s knowledge or participation. The judgment was orchestrated to lend legitimacy to the plotters and manipulate the legal system from outside Lagos jurisdiction.

The press conference also revealed that individuals involved in the failed coup—including Boniface Itodo, Faga Bem-Paul, Sunny Neji, Zaaky Azzay, and Michael “Ruggedman” Stephen—illegally broke into and occupied the PMAN National Secretariat on March 1 and 3, 2025. Their actions prompted police intervention and subsequent arrests.

Following this, the National Executive Council (NEC) convened on March 16, 2025, in Abuja and removed all offending members from office. Acting officials were appointed in accordance with PMAN’s constitutional provisions.

In a startling disclosure, Okafor revealed that the entire crisis was rooted in efforts to take control of PMAN’s growing assets. Under his administration, PMAN had achieved several historic milestones:

* Acquisition of a fully owned National Secretariat

* Launch of PMAN FM with cutting-edge broadcast equipment

* Flag-off of the PMAN Abuja Monaco Project, a multi-million-naira property venture

In 2024, Olusco Heritage & Investment Ltd, headed by Mr. Olufemi Olumeyan, was contracted to manage the Monaco Project. Investigations have now revealed:

* Unauthorized collection of over ₦350 million from subscribers

* Failure to meet project obligations

* Suspicion of illicit financial transactions under forensic scrutiny

The NEC has now resolved to safeguard these investments through an Asset Management Company, ensuring that PMAN’s properties and funds remain protected from further exploitation.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on May 5, 2025, officially reaffirmed Pretty Okafor’s position as National President, with the association’s headquarters recognized at the Lekki Secretariat. The letter recognizes the valid National Delegates Conference held on October 24, 2023, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, where Okafor and other executives were elected unopposed.

Okafor disclosed that he has initiated legal action to stay and overturn the fraudulent judgment in Suit Nos. NICN/LA/26/2025 and NICN/LA/48/2025, pledging to pursue civil and criminal sanctions against all conspirators.

“This isn’t just about PMAN—it’s about defending due process, integrity, and the rights of all Nigerian musicians,” Okafor told reporters. “We will not only rebuild, but we will also pursue justice—without compromise.”

In a powerful show of unity and resistance, traditional leaders, youths, women, and persons living with disabilities from the Ukhomunyio village in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, staged a major protest today against what they described as an illegal and undemocratic imposition of Michael Sado as the Okuokpellagbe (traditional ruler) of Okpella.

The demonstrators first marched to the Edo State Government House in Benin City, where they submitted a strongly worded petition to Governor Monday Okpebholo, before proceeding to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, where they sought the monarch’s intervention in the unfolding traditional leadership crisis.

Holding placards with inscriptions such as “Okpella Tradition Must Be Respected”, “No to Illegal Installation”, and “Ukhomunyio Demands Justice”, the protesters condemned what they called the “kangaroo process” that led to the purported selection and presentation of the staff of office to Mr. Michael Sado.

The group, speaking under the banner of the Concerned Citizens of Ukhomunyio, described Sado’s emergence as Okuokpellagbe as a “travesty and a blatant violation of both the traditional selection process and the extant customary laws governing succession in Okpella.”

In their official statement titled “Re: Position of Ukhomunyio Concerned Citizens on the Selection of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella”, the group expressed deep disappointment over what they described as the state government’s failure to uphold the law despite earlier assurances.

“The Okpella community received the Governor’s April 30, 2025 press release with joy and hope. It promised a credible process anchored on the extant law. Yet, a select few ignored this directive and unlawfully installed Michael Sado,” the statement read.

They cited specific violations of the Declaration of Customary Law Regulating Succession to the Traditional Title of Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, particularly the failure to allow the Ukhomunyio branch of the Oteku Ruling House, whose turn it is to produce the next Okuokpellagbe, to properly nominate a candidate.

According to the protesters, “No meeting of adult males of the appropriate branch was convened. No Kingmakers were involved. Instead, a theatrical selection process led by a non-existent electoral body allocated scores arbitrarily, with Mr. Sado reportedly awarded 16 points and other so-called candidates given none.”

They also reminded the Governor that any action contrary to the Declaration of Customary Law and the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979 is unlawful and void, emphasizing that “the issuance of staff of office to Michael Sado constitutes a breach of both law and tradition.”

The group urged Governor Okpebholo to immediately:

1. Cancel the appointment of Michael Sado.
2. Direct the Ukhomunyio branch of the Oteku Ruling House to begin a proper, lawful selection process.
3. Uphold justice and the rule of law to restore faith in government and traditional institutions.

The delegation also made an emotional appeal to the Oba of Benin, describing him as the custodian of Edo traditions and a father figure whose moral authority could help guide the resolution of the crisis.

“We are not against the institution of the Okuokpellagbe,” one of the leaders High Chief Julius Ederefo, said. “We are fighting for the sanctity of our culture and the rule of law. A traditional ruler imposed without due process cannot command the respect or loyalty of the people.”

As the protest ended peacefully, the community said it awaits official response from the state government and the Oba’s palace.

A philanthropist, Joseph Aondoana, has donated a Hilux truck, 5 motorbikes and a police station to Aondoana community in Gwer-West Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue State, as part of efforts to curb insecurity occasioned by herdsmen attacks.

The donation of the items, including bags of Rice, maggi, salt and jars of palm oil to members of the community followed a recent attack on Aondoana by armed herdsmen, wherein 15 persons, including a two-year old child was hacked to death.

Aondoana, also appealed to the political class in the state to stop the bickering that had left them divided, close ranks and works towards bringing an end to the incessant killings in the state.

Therefore, he called on the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, as well as other politicians to follow his footsteps and donate to communities affected by herdsmen attacks, stressing that with their contributions the fight against insecurity in Benue communities would register major successes.

Addressing the people of the community, Aondoana, stressed that he would do anything possible within the ambit of the law to ensure that their security was guaranteed.

While he pledged that he would assist with certain logistics for the upkeep of the security personnel posted to the area, he promised to fuel and maintain the vehicles and bikes, for effective service delivery.

The philanthropist who charged members of the community to take ownership of the items, informed that even though he had donated the vehicle and bikes, they actually belong to the community.

Furthermore, Aondoana, laid the foundation of a Police post in the area, adding that he would ensure that the structure, with staff quarters were completed and handed over to the police in under three months.

He appealed to members of the community to endeavor to provide the necessary information to security agencies at all times, so as to enable them tackle the insecurity in the area.

Also speaking at the event, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Naka, headquarters of Gwer-West LGA, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Charles Gadzama, identified with the people of the community for the pains they were going through.

The DPO who pledged to put in his best to address the insecurity in the LGA, however solicited the support of the people of the area, noting that he cannot do it alone.

He urged them to be resilient; put their trust in him and he would in turn trust them to provide him with credible intelligence and believed that together they would weather the storm and restore the peace that has eluded them.

Receiving the items, the Ter Nagi, HRH Chief Daniel Abomtse, represented by the Kindred Head, Puuanakaa, Zaki Jen Ukura, thanked Joseph Aondoana, for the step he has taken to ensure that his people were secure.

He further advised them to at all times provided credible intelligence that can be put to use.