Nigeria: PMAN NEC halts actions on Okafor’s suspension pending full hearing

Founded in 1984 by Christy Essien-Igbokwe and Sonny Okosun, PMAN functions as the umbrella body for Nigerian musicians. It operates under the Government Unions Act and has the mandate to oversee and regulate the music profession in the West African country.

TVC News reports that the NEC plans to form a disciplinary committee to investigate misconduct allegations against Okafor and other officials, as referred to by the NWC.

The NWC on 23 August announced Okafor’s indefinite suspension, citing “gross violations” of the association’s constitution and financial regulations.

An internal inquiry reportedly determined that Okafor, who was re-elected as PMAN president back in October, improperly withdrew ₦7 million (about $4 400) from PMAN’s biometric registration account and arranged for non-NWC members to join an international trip without securing the necessary permissions.

The NWC also reportedly instructed Okafor to relinquish all PMAN assets and stay away from the association’s properties in Abuja and Lagos until further notice. First vice-president Sunny Neji was to serve as acting president, in line with the organisation’s constitution.

Responding to news of his suspension, Okafor said: “Only the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association made up of the governors of the states across the country is constitutionally empowered to suspend me.”

He also denied any wrongdoing, insisting to local press that the withdrawal was a loan to cover expenses while awaiting reimbursement for personal funds used in official matters. 

“The money was a loan pending when my personal payment comes in,” Okafor explained to news outlet R, accusing other NWC members of hypocrisy and alleging that they had previously taken loans from the association without repaying them.

Okafor further claimed that the suspension stemmed from his refusal to share funds intended for the establishment of a PMAN Radio station. He recounted how he secured funding and equipment for the project, worth over ₦100 million, but faced pressure to distribute the funds among the NWC members. “They tried to impeach me because I didn’t share the funder’s money with them.”

A veteran musician formerly of the '90s duo Junior and Pretty, Okafor has served as PMAN president since October 2014. His new term will extend his leadership for another four years.