PMAN President Pretty Okafor denies new leadership, says it’s fake

The Performing Musician’s Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) under the leadership of Pretty Okafor has denied the story making the rounds that there is a new leadership of the association headed by Falope.

In a statement sent to The Guardian, Pretty stated that there is no other PMAN leadership apart from the one he is leading as President, adding that some disgruntled ‘veteran musicians’ are out to sabotage the association’s ongoing efforts in actualising the 70/30 sharing formula for caller tunes / ring back tones in favour of content owners.

In the statement, Pretty noted that the enemies of the industry and despisers of the talented youths conspired with other questionable individuals to create confusion by using the acronym ‘PMAN’ to deceive and confuse the general public, and violate PMAN trademark rights.

“The Performing Musician’s Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) under the leadership of Pretty Okafor will like to inform all registered musicians and the general public of the malicious attempt by some disgruntled veteran musicians to sabotage PMAN’s ongoing efforts in actualising the 70/30 sharing formula for caller tunes / ring back tones in favour of content owners.

“There is only one registered ‘Trade Union’ and it is the Performing Musicians Employers Association Of Nigeria, with Pretty Okafor being the national President, and its national headquarters at 14 Fadeyi Street Ikeja, Lagos,” the statement read.

The statement said the fake ‘PMAN’ being paraded is an illegal entity, not recognised by the government, and based on Police investigation, they don’t even have an office, else arrest warrants would have been served and all the perpetrators would have been in Police net by now

“It is an obvious attempt to create confusion to the detriment of the creative industry and sabotage PMAN ongoing advocacy at the legislative arm of the government,” the statement also read.

It continues, “while the matter is being investigated by the authorities, we the Working Committee of the Performing Musician Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), wish to advice all reputable media platforms and journalists to comply with the provisions of the Trademark Act of Nigeria by disregarding any ‘fake news’ being propagated by the group. They have no legal standing, and have been sternly warned to desist from infringing on the registered trademark PMAN.

“Henceforth, any individual, company or entity found using the acronym PMAN to conduct business without the express written permission of the PMAN President, Pretty Okafor, will face the full wrath of the law, because such acts violate the exclusive Trademark rights of PMAN as provided in the Trademark Act.”

The Pretty-led PMAN assured the general public that the union would not back down until we get rid of the ignorant and selfish group of aged musicians that continue to meddle in PMAN affairs.