PMAN crisis: Acting secretary dismisses Pretty Okafor’s suspension

30 Dec 2025, 20:05 by Taiwo Oshunloye · TheCable Lifestyle

The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has dismissed reports regarding the suspension of Pretty Okafor, its president.

The rebuttal comes a few days after the national executive council (NEC) of PMAN announced Okafor’s suspension, citing “gross violation” of the association’s constitution and a litany of alleged administrative malfeasance.

However, in a recent statement signed by Elizabeth Gabriel, its acting general secretary, the association said Okafor remains the constitutionally recognised and judicially affirmed president of the union.

Gabriel described the “NEC meeting as a Christmas Day comedy skit,” arguing that no valid meeting took place on that date.

“It is truly unfortunate that on a day meant to celebrate peace and goodwill, certain individuals have chosen to descend into theatrical absurdity,” the statement reads.

“Let it be stated clearly and without equivocation: no legitimate meeting of PMAN’s National Executive Council took place on the 25th of December 2025. What occurred was nothing more than a WhatsApp cosplay by a group of actors, hell-bent on creating chaos.”

The acting general secretary clarified that the PMAN constitution mandates that NEC meetings must be convened by the general secretary in consultation with the president, with a minimum of three weeks’ written notice and a formal agenda circulated beforehand —conditions she said were not met.

She added that there is a subsisting interlocutory order of the national industrial court, issued on October 30, 2025, in suit no. NICN/LA/48/2025, restraining certain individuals from interfering with PMAN’s assets or altering its leadership structure.

According to her, the same order also bars the registrar of trade unions from recognising any such actions, warning that disobedience of the order constitutes a serious offence.

Gabriel traced the crisis within PMAN to a certain Olusco, identified as the former developer of the association’s Monaco property in Abuja.

She alleged that Olusco has been behind repeated attempts to destabilise PMAN, including the purported suspension of Okafor in August 2024. She accused him of illegally selling portions of PMAN’s Monaco property.

The statement further claimed that Olusco allegedly used PMAN land to fraudulently induce a company G&D into a joint venture agreement, through which N350 million was reportedly collected.

Gabriel said law enforcement agencies had established a prima facie case of obtaining money under false pretence and criminal breach of trust, adding that the matter is now being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The acting general secretary further warned individuals parading themselves as PMAN leaders on television and social media to desist, accusing them of constitutional ignorance and self-embarrassment.

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