Treasurer alleges unauthorised use of his signature, disowns former government

There seems to be no finish in sight for the PMAN management disaster as its nationwide treasurer, Baba Ojonugwa, a key determine concerned within the physique’s funds, has disassociated himself from the actions of former members of the Nationwide Working Committee (NWC).

That is based on a video assertion issued on 6 September and made obtainable to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday.

Within the final two months, PMAN, the umbrella physique of performing musicians in Nigeria, has been embroiled in a disaster that has fractured the union into factions and raised considerations about its future.

On August 30, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the PMAN’s Nationwide Working Committee (NWC) suspended its president, Fairly Okafor, over alleged a number of violations of the organisation’s structure, and monetary misappropriation, together with an allegation of transferring a considerable amount of cash from the organisation’s account into his account.

The committee then appointed Sunny Neji because the performing president.

Nonetheless, barely every week later, in an surprising flip of occasions, the PMAN Nationwide Govt Council (NEC) introduced the suspension of a few of its key members, on the premise of misconduct and intentional efforts to injure the integrity of the affiliation.

The NEC stated the choice adopted proof that surfaced after the Nationwide Disciplinary Committee (NDC) concluded an emergency assembly concerning allegations levelled in opposition to Mr Okafor.

Baba Ojonugwa’s disclaimer

In his disclaimer video, Mr Ojonugwa, a musician, stated, ‘‘Since I used to be sworn in October 2023, I’ve not obtained any handover observe from my predecessor, Asha Gangali; I don’t authorise and have by no means consented to the usage of my digital signature. I’m deeply involved that these actions have induced confusion inside the affiliation and have probably misled members about my stance within the disaster.

‘‘Future paperwork bearing my signature with out specific consent can be thought of unauthorised and illegitimate. I dissociate myself from any press launch or paperwork circulating that aren’t meant to resolve the disaster; my silence shouldn’t be misconstrued as an endorsement; I used to be silent as a result of I hoped the disaster can be resolved.’’

He additionally careworn that his signature had been deceptively utilized in a number of correspondences, notices, and press releases issued by the ex-NWC members with out his approval.

Moreover, he alleged that the ex-members by no means desisted from their actions regardless of a number of warnings.

These ex-members embrace Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay, Stephen Micheal (Ruggedman), Boniface Itodo, and Bem Paul Faga, whom he alleged have frequently used his title and signature to pursue their function, additional escalating the disaster inside the affiliation.

READ ALSO: PMAN Disaster: Govt Council suspends Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay, Ruggedman, others

This newspaper contacted Mr Neji who declined to touch upon the difficulty however referred the correspondent to the Normal Secretary, Aita Bonny, whose quantity was unavailable as of press time.

Mr Ojonugwa additionally reiterated his dedication to upholding the PMAN Structure and serving the affiliation’s and its members’ greatest pursuits. He urged the ex-NWC members to desist from additional misuse of his title.