By Aisha Ahmed Tanko
Investigative Journalist & Legal Analyst
The Nigerian legal system is currently being tested in what could go down as one of the most brazen and audacious cases of judicial fraud in the country’s history. The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), the apex trade union for musicians in Nigeria, has become the target of a grand conspiracy orchestrated by individuals who, by every legal and constitutional standard, are not members of the association. This case, which involves a fraudulent Consent Judgment obtained in Suit No: NICN/LA/360/2024, is an outright case of criminal conspiracy, forgery, fraud, and obtaining under false pretenses (419 under the Criminal Code Act). The grand scheme, led by George Dureke, Fruithful Mekwunye, Yinka Davies, and their cohorts, rivals the most infamous scams executed by notorious fraudsters such as Fred Ajudua, Ade Bendel, Emmanuel Nwude, Amaka Anajemba, Maurice Ibekwe, and Demola Oyefeso amongst others. These conspirators have attempted a legal heist that, if successful, would set a new benchmark for judicial manipulation and financial fraud in Nigeria.
The evidence unearthed through court filings, sworn affidavits, and the Consent Judgment itself reveals a deliberate attempt to deceive the National Industrial Court of Nigeria into endorsing a fraudulent leadership takeover of PMAN. This article examines the crimes committed, the legal implications, and recommends immediate actions that must be taken by the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Industrial Court, and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
These men and women have used deceit, misrepresentation, and abuse of court processes to unlawfully obtain a fraudulent consent judgment with the singular aim of hijacking PMAN’s leadership and seizing its assets. This is not just a civil matter—it is a criminal enterprise, and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) must take immediate action to investigate, prosecute, and punish all those involved.
The fraudulent scheme began when George Dureke and his cohorts falsely claimed to have organized a National Delegate Conference (NDC) on December 5, 2024, where they purportedly elected a new PMAN leadership. However, this so-called election was a complete sham, as PMAN’s constitution (2023 as Amended) clearly states that only the National Executive Council (NEC) has the power to convene a National Delegate Conference—a power that these conspirators never had.
The extent of the deception became even clearer when Dureke and his gang filed a suit at the National Industrial Court (NICN) in Lagos under Suit No: NICN/LA/360/2024. In this suit, they sought contradictory reliefs: on one hand, they asked the court to declare that their National Delegate Conference was improperly convened, yet on the other, they sought to be recognized as the legitimate PMAN leadership based on the same illegal conference.
As if this absurdity was not enough, the court was misled into granting a consent judgment based on fraudulent terms of settlement, which effectively removed the legitimate leadership of PMAN, including its National President, Pretty Okafor, and replaced them with a cabal of impostors.
PMAN’s legitimate leadership was never served with the originating processes of this case. In fact, the only reason they became aware of it was because on February 4, 2025, Pretty Okafor’s lawyer appeared before the same National Industrial Court for another matter (NICN/LA/242/2024) and noticed that PMAN’s name appeared in a different case on the cause list. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that this new case, NICN/LA/360/2024, had already proceeded to the stage where Terms of Settlement were filed—all without the knowledge or participation of PMAN’s legitimate leadership.
When PMAN’s legal team attempted to file a motion for joinder on February 5, 2025, the court refused to entertain it, instead going ahead to adopt the fraudulent Terms of Settlement as a Consent Judgment. This was despite the fact that Pretty Okafor—who was representing PMAN’s legitimate leadership—was in court that very morning, making urgent pleas to be heard. The judge denied him the opportunity to be heard, outrightly! Is anyone thinking what I am thinking? Yes! Your guess is as good as mine. This is Nigeria.
The fraudulent consent judgment is not just a procedural error—it is a criminal offense. Several laws have been flagrantly violated in this conspiracy:
Obtaining by False Pretenses – Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act. These men and women falsely represented themselves as legitimate members and leaders of PMAN, knowing full well that they did not meet the membership criteria under Article 4 of the PMAN Constitution. Their intention was to use the fraudulent consent judgment to gain control of PMAN’s assets, making this a clear case of obtaining under false pretenses.
Conspiracy to Commit a Felony – Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act. The entire plan was a coordinated criminal effort involving multiple individuals who conspired to deceive the court, fabricate a dispute where none existed, and fraudulently install themselves as PMAN’s leaders.
Perjury – Section 117 of the Criminal Code Act. False affidavits were sworn in support of the fraudulent suit. Conflicting statements from the conspirators further confirm their deception—for instance, one of the conspirators—the 1st Defendant in NICN/LA/360/2024—Fruitful Mekwunye, falsely stated in a widely circulated letter that the election was conducted online. However, George Dureke, the Claimant in that suit, deposed in his affidavit that some delegates were denied entry into a physical hall where the election took place. This contradiction alone proves that the entire process was fraudulent.
Forgery and False Representation – Section 363 of the Criminal Code Act. These men and women deliberately used a false address (Lobby D National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos) for service of court processes, instead of the legally recognized PMAN Secretariat at 4B, Hammed Kasumu Street, Chevy View Estate, Lekki, Lagos. This was a clear act of deception intended to prevent the real PMAN leadership from being aware of and challenging the fraudulent proceedings.
The fraudulent consent judgment in NICN/LA/360/2024 is null and void ab initio because it was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, and abuse of court process. The Court—in several cases—has held that a consent judgment can be set aside if it was procured by fraudulent misrepresentation or misconception. In fact, service of court processes is a precondition for the court to exercise jurisdiction.
Since PMAN’s legitimate leadership was never served, the judgment is a nullity and must be overturned.
In my opinion, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must investigate this fraud. The police must immediately investigate, and possibly, arrest and prosecute all those involved in obtaining this fraudulent judgment under Sections 419, 516, and 117 of the Criminal Code Act.
The National Industrial Court must set aside the fraudulent judgment. A court cannot allow itself to be used as an instrument of fraud. The NICN must immediately reconsider its ruling and declare the fraudulent consent judgment a nullity. The fraudulent judgement was obtained through deception and suppression of material facts. Judicial precedent supports the nullification of judgments procured by fraud.
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) must sanction any complicit lawyer(s). Any lawyer who knowingly assisted in this fraud must face disciplinary action under the relevant of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, which requires lawyers to act with honesty and integrity.
This case is a test of whether fraudsters can hijack trade unions through judicial trickery and get away with it. If allowed to stand, this fraudulent consent judgment will set a dangerous precedent that would allow criminals to use court processes to take over any organization in Nigeria.
The Nigerian legal system must act swiftly to correct this injustice. The fraudulent consent judgment must be set aside, those responsible must face criminal prosecution, and any lawyers who aided this fraud must be sanctioned.
The rule of law must not be sacrificed at the altar of judicial deception. The Nigerian judiciary must not be used as a playground for fraudsters. Justice must prevail.
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