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| Pretty Okafor. |
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) had convened an emergency meeting on the 23rd of August to look into the recent suspension of the National President, Mr. Pretty Okafor by members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the suspension, some allegations made against Mr. Pretty Okafor, and his subsequent appeal, the NEC has resolved to take the following actions on the matter:
The NEC directs the National Working Committee (NWC) to maintain status quo regarding the suspension of Pretty Okafor's and the Chapter Governors/Sole Administrators, directing that no further actions be taken by the NWC concerning these suspensions until full hearing is conducted in accordance with PMAN Constitution.
In accordance with Article 13 (C) (ii) of the PMAN Constitution, the National Executive Council is empowered to appoint a Chairman and four (4) other persons to form a National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) for PMAN. The NDC shall then consider allegations of misconduct and breach of the PMAN Constitution or the Code of Conduct by a Member as may be referred to from time to time by the NWC.
The Constitution provides that NDC have the power to summon any Member of the Association to appear before it in relation to any allegation of misconduct and breach of the provisions of the Constitution or the Code of Conduct being investigated by it.
PMAN Constitution further provide that the disciplinary committee shall: (i) take into consideration any submissions made by the member in connection with the allegation being investigated by it; (ii) where it deems necessary, review documents and interview the complainant, the relevant member and their witnesses;(iii) observe the rules of natural justice in its proceeding; and (iv) Make such recommendations as it deems appropriate to the National Working Committee in respect of the complaint within the period specified by the National Working Committee for determining the complaint.
The NEC did not receive any submissions—written or oral—from the NWC to necessitate the setting up of National Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the Constitution of PMAN to consider the allegations levelled against Mr. Pretty Okafor. As far as the NEC is concerned, no National Disciplinary Committee was recently appointed. A suspension of any member by the NWC is subject to a finding of guilty by the Disciplinary Committee as provided in Article 18 (A) of the PMAN Constitution.
Furthermore, Article 18 (D) provides that a member shall not be fined, suspended or expelled from the Association except reasonable opportunity has been given to him to be heard in person.
PMAN NEC firmly believes that the Constitution clearly provides for how situations like this should be handled, and there are no ambiguities and allegations made against Pretty Okafor are quite serious and weighty, calling for a comprehensive and transparent review process.
In view of the above, and in accordance with Article 13 (C) (ii) of the PMAN Constitution, NEC has appointed a National Disciplinary Committee comprising of a chairman and four (4) other persons to consider the allegations of misconduct levelled against Pretty Okafor.
Members of the NDC have been carefully selected to ensure a fair and impartial review process, in accordance with Article 13 (C) (ii) of the PMAN Constitution. The committee is composed of the following individuals, Chairman: comrade Chuku Uchena James (Ebonyi State), comrade Aralola Olamuyiwa (Lagos State), comrade Jack Sydney Asuwani (Abuja FCT), comrade Lady Golda C Njiribeako Alexander (Imo State), comrade Robert Udende (Benue State), NEC believes that the diverse composition of the NDC will bring balanced perspectives to the review process and uphold the principles of fairness and integrity throughout the proceedings.
The suspended National President, Pretty Okafor is expected to return to Nigeria and appear before the NDC to provide a full defense against these allegations so as to him the opportunity to present all relevant evidence and clarify his actions to the Committee, therefore, PMAN NEC has nstructed the NWC to immediately issue this press statement and release same to all platforms and media organisations used to announce the suspension of Pretty Okafor.
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