PMAN suspends Pretty Okafor over ‘financial misconduct’, appoints Sunny Neji in acting capacity

The national working committee (NWC) of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has announced the indefinite suspension of Pretty Okafor, its president, over alleged financial misconduct among other offences.

In a statement on Friday, the association said the suspension follows a comprehensive investigation into allegations against Okafor, which were “found to be in gross violation of the PMAN Constitution and financial regulations”.

According to NWC, Okafor’s alleged offences include “taking non-members for an international trip; financial misconduct related to a withdrawal of N7,000,000 and $40,000 belonging to the association into his personal account” among others.

The statement added that in the interim, Sunny Neji, who has served as the first vice president, will assume the role of acting president in line with the PMAN constitution.

“This suspension follows a comprehensive investigation into Mr. Okafor’s actions, which were found to be in gross violation of the PMAN Constitution and financial regulations,” the statement reads in part.

“Mr. Okafor admitted to unconstitutionally involving non-members of the NWC in an international trip, which was intended exclusively for 32 members of PMAN, including the executive committee.

“He facilitated the issuance of counterfeit PMAN ID cards and false cover letters, misrepresenting these individuals as PMAN members and executives, thereby enabling their attendance at the ROTOTOM Reggae Sunsplash in Benicàssim, Spain.

“Without the required unanimous approval of the NWC, Mr. Okafor withdrew #7,000,000 (Seven million naira) from the PMAN biometric registration account and transferred funds from PMAN’s bank account into his personal account on several occasions.

“A specific threshold must be reached before Zenith Bank would print the ID cards for registered members after the lift of the court ban on the PMAN bank account. However, Mr. Okafor’s unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the same account shortly after the lift of the court order has further slowed the process down.

“Additionally, he directed a PMAN property developer to deposit $40,000 (Forty thousand dollars) into his personal domiciliary account without proper authorization from the NWC.

“Mr. Okafor has consistently refused to convene NWC meetings over the past year, despite numerous requests from members. Even after the Registrar of Trade Unions intervened to facilitate these meetings, Mr. Okafor failed to cooperate.

“In accordance with Article 12, Paragraph K of the PMAN Constitution, Mr. Okafor’s suspension will remain in force pending further disciplinary proceedings as outlined in the constitution.”

Okafor was first elected PMAN’s president in October 2016. He secured re-election last year.