MORE LEGAL WAHALA FOR EFE OMOROGBE AS COSON CHAIRMAN, OKOROJI, SLAMS N212 MILLION LIBEL SUIT AGAINST HIM.

True to an earlier statement issued on his behalf, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji has filed a suit at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja asking for the sum of Two Hundred and Twelve Million Naira for libel against embattled former member of the COSON Board, Mr. Efe Omorogbe.

The suit supported by a 29 paragraph Statement of Claim, several exhibits and witnesses was filed on behalf of Chief Okoroji by Tochukwu Tagbo and Christian Eneje of the Lagos law firm of Commercial Practice Solicitors

In the Statement of Claim, Chief Okoroji pleaded that on January 16, 2018, Mr Omorogbe organised a major press conference at Protea Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, which was attended by numerous representatives of the press, widely reported in newspapers and magazines across the country, viewed by millions of people on television and on the internet across the world and that at the conference, Mr. Omorogbe made several defamatory statements against him.

Chief Okoroji also pleaded that Mr Omorogbe caused to be published in City People Magazine dated 31st January 2018, further words defamatory of him and that indeed, Omorogbe further caused to be published in Vanguard Newspaper dated 20th January 2018 other words and statements defamatory of him and that Mr. Omorogbe took active steps to ensure that his devastating words against the Claimant (Chief Okoroji) were widely published, broadcast, posted on several websites on the internet and republished in the press with the intention of doing the most horrendous damage to Chief Okoroji’s good name, character and reputation.

Chief Okoroji also pleaded in the Statement of Claim that in widely publishing the words and statements complained of in the suit, Mr. Omorogbe was actuated by blatant malice as he knew very well that his words and statements are patently false as Omorogbe very well knows that the Claimant is a man of impeccable character and honour and an outstanding Nigerian and that Omorogbe in publishing and/or causing to be published the sordid and reckless words was motivated by the naked desire to destroy the Claimant and usurp the Claimant’s position.

Apart from the damages and cost asked for, Chief Okoroji has also asked for an injunction restraining Efe Omorogbe, his servants or agents or otherwise, from further publishing or broadcasting, or causing to be published or broadcast, the said words or any words similarly defamatory of Chief Okoroji

The suit filed by Chief Okoroji is different from the court action filed by COSON against Mr. Omorogbe.

EFE OMOROGBE HUMILIATED AGAIN AS COSON HEAD OF FINANCE REFUSES HIS ‘GREEK GIFT’

Efe Omorogbe, the very embattled former member of the Board of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) who was recently locked out of COSON House has just received another huge embarrassment as the COSON Head of Finance & Administration, Ms Bernice Eriemeghe has immediately turned her back at Efe Omorogbe’s desperate directive to Ms Eriemeghe to take over from Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji as General Manager of COSON.
In response to Mr Efe Omorogbe’s directive, Ms Eriemeghe issued the following statement: :
“THANK YOU MR OMOROGBE BUT NO TO YOUR GREEK GIFT
“I have been informed that Mr. Efe Omorogbe and his group have asked me to take over as Acting General Manager of COSON.
“I am a woman of honour and I hereby say ‘No’ to what I consider a Greek gift and a scheme that will result in divide and rule. My colleagues and I in the Management of COSON jointly signed a letter sent to the NCC in which we emphasized our position and informed them that issuing opaque directives to COSON which they know cannot be obeyed will result in chaos in the organization. We have also warned of our massive resignation should they continue to meddle in the internal affairs of the organization which we are capable of resolving. I have no intention of betraying my colleagues.
“Furthermore, I was present at the COSON Extra- Ordinary General Meeting held in COSON Arena on December 19, 2017 when the members of COSON from every part of Nigeria spoke loudly and clearly in one voice that Chief Tony Okoroji should remain as the Chairman among other issues. Please let us all respect the collective will of the majority of the members of COSON that we are all accountable to and represent their interest.
“Mr. Efe Omorogbe is a very good friend of mine but the interest and desires of the members of COSON is most paramount at this point. It is a statement of fact that the members of COSON do not want Mr. Omorogbe as their Chairman at this time. That is clear to me. Anyone trying to force him on the members of COSON does not mean well for COSON as this clearly is capable of destroying the organization.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I will continue to support Mr. Chinedu Angus Chukwuji as General Manager of COSON and Chief Tony Okoroji as Chairman.
“Thank you.
“BERNICE ERIEMEGHE
Head of Finance & Administration”

EFE OMOROGBE’S DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO TAKE OVER COSON FAILS WOEFULLY

Despite a court action recently filed by Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON asking EfeOmorogbe, a former member of the COSON Board to stop parading himself as an officer or Chairman of COSON, EfeOmorogbe on Tuesday March 6, 2018 stormed COSON House in Ikeja with some of his cohorts, bouncers and gang apparently in a desperate attempt to take over control of COSON House. In stout defense of  the society, the staff locked him out of the building and neither Omorogbe nor his bouncers could gain entry.

In the days before, Omorogbe had sent e-mails to the General Manager of COSON, Mr Chinedu Chukwuji asking him to call board meetings that Mr Omorogbe would chair. In his reply, Mr. Chukwuji wrote to him that the Management of COSON could not accede to his request as they do not recognize him as Chairman of COSON.

The full text of Mr. Chukwuji’s mail to EfeOmorogbe is hereby reproduced as follows

“Your email titled “Repeated Acts of Insubordination” is hereby acknowledged.

“You will recall that after December 7, 2017 when Chief Tony Okoroji was said to have been removed as chairman and replaced by you, the entire Management of COSON gave you our total and unalloyed support. On December 19, 2017 when the general assembly at the Extra Ordinary General Meeting, annulled the decision of the Board in exercise of its powers, the Management had no choice but to revert to Chief Tony Okoroji as Chairman.

“We were both present at the EGM. The collective will of the members of COSON was very clear on that day irrespective of any presumed technicality anyone might introduce.

“As much as possible, the COSON Management has been very careful in the running of the organization in the midst of the recent developments in a very professional manner. As professionals, we cannot pick sides in the matter. Our function, is simply to follow the rules as we understand them.

“To ask us to obey you and disobey the hundreds of COSON members from the whole country who attended the EGM will be very unfair. Nobody needs to be told that obeying such directive will only lead to chaos.

“We are law-abiding citizens and you very well know that the matter regarding you as chairman is currently in court under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited from public discussions (sub judice). The position of COSON Management is fairness and equity. Anyone dissatisfied with the decision of the members of COSON on December 19, 2017 should go to the court of law and resolve the issues there.

“In the interest of the organization, it may be difficult to accede to your request to call a board meeting at your instance after the consensus reached by COSON members at the Extra Ordinary General Meeting of December 19, 2017.

“We are constrained to take this position because in the organs of the society, the General Assembly (People) is supreme”.

Neither Chief Tony Okoroji, the Chairman of COSON nor Mr. Chukwuji, the General Manager  were in COSON House when EfeOmorogbe arrived with his gang.

FOR COSON:

NANS PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT FOR COSON CHAIRMAN, OKOROJI AS HE IS PRESENTED WITH ‘‘NATIONAL OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD’’

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed full support for the Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji in his present fight to protect the independence of COSON and ensure that the society continues to play a major role in the promotion of creativity in Nigeria.
The NANS executives made the pledge during the presentation of the National Outstanding Leadership Award to Chief Okoroji at the magnificent COSON House, Ikeja on Thursday, March 10, 2018.
They described him as an Icon of Societal Transformation.
Speaking during the presentation, the NANS National Vice President, Comrade Olamide Odumosu said that the unanimous choice of Chief Okoroji for the award was made at the Minna congress of NANS. In the words of Odumosu, ‘‘We are aware of your personal sacrifice, unprecedented advocacy and elaborate demonstrations that brought about the promulgation of the copyright law in Nigeria. As a young Nigerian, you risked your life believing that the creative industry is worth dying for. This of course shot you into high position of visibility that climaxed in your participation in the drafting of the Copyright law and the setting up of the NCC in Nigeria.’’
‘‘The concerted efforts to destroy your good name and character in order to achieve a perfidious objective by some undesirable elements within and outside the creative industry must be resisted and put to shame.’’
Still speaking, Odumosu said ‘‘The National Association of Nigerian Students hereby calls on the Copyright Commission to refuse to be used anymore as a tool that can lead to the instability and possible disintegration of COSON. Any avoidable friction between the members of COSON and the leadership of the Copyright Commission occasioned by such undue interference by the Commission shall be taken personal by NANS.’’
‘‘Let it be known today that by this award, Chief Tony Okoroji has become a 5-star General of NANS and whoever takes him on takes on the 40.1 million students NANS represents both at home and abroad.’’ He concluded.
Receiving the Award, the COSON Chairman who was honored just a week ago with ‘‘Africa’s Patriotic Personality Award’’ by LEADS Africa, an umbrella body of democratic Students Unions from different universities across Africa, began by jokingly saying ‘‘It looks like the more they fight me, the more the Almighty God elevates me.’’
‘‘I want to thank NANS from the bottom of my heart for this honour. We are proud of you, and what you as a body have been able to achieve at such a time when the country is facing serious challenges. I believe everything is possible and whatever you have set out to achieve is possible. 7 years ago, nobody gave COSON a chance but today COSON is working and working effectively. In the same vein I believe that despite our current challenges, Nigeria can work, and this will only be possible if we are ready to make the necessary sacrifice. I commend NANS for the bravery, for the risk you take. Continue to stand up and speak the truth. I am humbled by the honour’’ Said Chief Okoroji.
The 5-man NANS team consisting of Olamide Odumosu, Vice President National; Odebunmi Idowu, National PRO; Lawal A’pounds, Director of Programmes and Strategy; Dauda Kazeem, Head of Senate; and Ninalowo Saheed, Director of Media also used the opportunity to present to COSON the Certificate of Credence for the society’s excellent service delivery and immense contribution towards the betterment of the economy via royalties’ distribution and protection of intellectual property.
At the over flowing COSON Boardroom for the festive occasion which witnessed a lot of singing were the likes of COSON Directors, Ras Kimono, Maureen Ejezie, and Azeezat Allen and music star, Dr Fabomo. Also present were COSON Consultant, Prince Biodun Eguakhide; COSON General Manager, Mr Chinedu Chukwuji; COSON Head of Finance & Administration, Ms Bernice Eriemeghe; COSON Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Chibueze Okereke; COSON General Counsel, Ms. Simi Wash-Pam and COSON Head of New Media, Mr. Tolu Balogun.

COSON SUES EFE OMOROGBE: ASKS THAT HE STOPS PARADING HIMSELF AS AN OFFICER OF COSON OR CHAIRMAN

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has gone to court against a former member of its Board, Mr. Efe Omorogbe.
In the suit No ID/4827/GCMW18 filed on behalf of COSON by Mr. James Ononiwu of Whitedove Solicitors, the society has asked for an injunction restraining Mr. Efe Omorogbe from parading himself as Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).
COSON has also requested from the court an injunction restraining Mr. Omorogbe whether by himself, servant, privy or agent from calling or convening any meeting by whatever name, be it board meeting, general meeting, etc, at any location whether in Lagos or anywhere in the country or outside the country in the name of Copyright Society of Nigeria.
The action which has COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji as joint claimant is supported by a 16 paragraph sworn statement deposed to by the General Manager of COSON, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji.
Commenting on the development, Afro Juju superstar and COSON Board member, Sir Shina Peters said, “there is no well-meaning person in the Nigerian creative community who is not proud of COSON, an organization that has been managed with the level of professionalism and sophistication previously thought impossible in Nigeria.
“The quality of leadership provided to COSON by our Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, has resulted in phenomenal growth in the society. It is sad that those who were too busy to dedicate their time to COSON suddenly have a lot of time for the organization. They want to hijack COSON, suck it dry and kill it the same way PMAN was killed after Okoroji had built PMAN into a big national institution.
“The members of COSON across Nigeria, the Board, our management, consultants, reciprocal representation partners across the world and very many young Nigerians are united and resolute that what happened to PMAN will not happen to COSON. COSON is a legacy we will bestow on the next generation of Nigerian artistes. We are 100% in support of Chief Tony Okoroji, an uncommon Nigerian who has dedicated an entire life time to ensure respect for the Nigerian creative community. We trust him. Can’t everybody see that the more they try to destroy Okoroji, the more his profile grows? I want to assure everyone that despite the concerted attack on COSON from well-known quarters, COSON continues to work and work very well. I remain very proud of COSON”