The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) issues this clarification to dispel false reports of a supposed “takeover” of its Monaco site in Abuja and to provide an update on ongoing criminal investigations surrounding unauthorized land sales.
Following the placement of a
cautionary sign at the Monaco site urging anyone who purchased land or units
from Olusco Heritage & Investment Ltd (“Olusco”) to come forward, PMAN has
received a flood of complaints from individuals claiming to be victims of such
transactions. This development reinforces PMAN’s concerns that fraudulent sales
have taken place on its property—allegedly orchestrated by Olusco in
collaboration with Mr. Boniface Itodo, Mr. Zakky Azzay, and most recently, Mr.
Fruitful Mekwunye.
This is not a matter of union
rivalry but a serious criminal issue under active police investigation.
Evidence before law enforcement suggests that Olusco received over ₦350 million
from G & D Building & Engineering Ltd. and induced further expenditure
exceeding ₦1.5 billion, using false claims of authority. PMAN has submitted
documents showing that some individuals involved had already been suspended or
dismissed from their roles within PMAN at the time.
Earlier today, video footage
captured Mr. Oluwafemi Olumeyan (Olusco) and Mr. Itodo arriving at the Monaco
site with a crowd, reportedly using women and children as human shields while
tearing down PMAN’s caution sign. Police officers were promptly alerted and
intervened lawfully to prevent violence. When approached by plainclothes
officers seeking to arrest him, Mr. Olumeyan fled the scene with his entourage,
nearly injuring a police officer with their vehicle in the process.
PMAN emphasizes: there was no
takeover. Police presence at the site was solely for lawful crowd control and
preservation of order. PMAN’s caution board is being reinstalled, and the
association retains full ownership of the land. Any suggestion that Olusco now
controls the site is entirely false.
PMAN notes that Mr. Olumeyan has
failed to honour repeated police invitations, instead filing a Fundamental
Rights action against the Police and Mr. Olayinka Alade (MD of G & D),
while avoiding accountability on the substantive allegations. We urge him to
cooperate with investigators and stop endangering women and children by using
them as protective cover.
A Police Investigation Report by
the IGP Monitoring Unit, drawing on materials from PMAN and other stakeholders,
has already established a prima facie case of obtaining by false pretences,
cheating, assault causing harm, threats, and conduct likely to breach the
peace. PMAN will continue to support law enforcement with further evidence,
including today’s video recordings and witness testimonies.
As rightful landowner, PMAN
reiterates that all transactions conducted without its written approval are
null and void. Victims of these unauthorized sales are encouraged to present
proof of payment, allocation or offer letters, receipts, and communications for
verification and possible redress.
PMAN remains committed to
safeguarding innocent purchasers while ensuring that those behind these
fraudulent activities face the full weight of the law. We thank the Nigeria
Police Force for their swift intervention and thorough investigative work.
The association stands ready to
brief regulators, credible media outlets, and concerned stakeholders, and will
release certified extracts of the Police Investigation Report and time-stamped
video evidence where appropriate.
Signed
Pretty Okafor
President, Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN)
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