Floyd Mayweather’s spending habits are well known but his car dealer has revealed that the boxer bizarrely rang him at 3am to order a Bugatti – insisting the car was to be in his driveway in just 12 hours.

The £1.5million valued super-car was delivered just 11 hours later, and was added to his collection of impressive motors.
bukatti

Obi Okeke, who owns Fusion Luxury Motors, was interviewed on the video on Mayweather’s Facebook page and spoke about the very late phone call he received.

He said: ‘The most challenging thing I’ve ever done for Floyd is when he called me at three o’clock in the morning and said, Obi, I want a Bugatti and I want one in my driveway in 12 hours.

‘I then showered, went into my office, did some work and hopped on a plane and got the car, in his driveway, in 11 hours and that makes me a better person, it makes me work harder, it makes me not limit myself, so those are the things that rub off on me from him.’

It’s not the only request that Okele has had to deal with from Mayweather’s extravagant demands, as the fighter once turned up at the dealership at 2am – walking out with a Ferrari Enzo.

‘I got a call from overseas in the Middle East that there was a US-spec Enzo for sale, so I hopped on a plane and flew to Abu Dhabi. I then transacted the car and put it in a Boeing 777 passenger plane and flew it out of Abu Dhabi.
‘So Floyd came to the dealership and he kept coming and looking at the car. Then he came in one night around two in the morning and said, “Obi, I wanna buy two Ferrari 458s,” and that’s what he said.

‘Then I said OK, then he pauses for a minute and goes, “Obi, I’m not going to buy them 458s, I want to buy that Enzo and I want to buy it now. Lets go.”‘
Mayweather’s mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao is just three weeks away and the undefeated champion continues to work in the gym and keep his impressive record intact.

http://brilafm.net/889brilafm/nigerian-auto-dealer-hooks-boxing-champ-up-with-1-5million-bugatti/

PAYMENT OF COPYRIGHT ROYALTIES, BROADCASTING ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA (BON), INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (IBAN), COSON AND THE COPYRIGHT INTERESTS OF MCSN

Our attention has been drawn to recent public statements, campaign and claims made by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) on the copyright to musical works used and broadcast in the course of the operations of members of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN).

The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) wishes to state unequivocally that COSON’s statement and campaigns were largely based on false and fraudulent claims aimed at misleading the general public, with a view to whipping up sentiments and hoodwinking the broadcasters and general users of music into entering into payment deals with COSON.

We state further thus:

MCSN still owns and continues to own the copyright in a very large repertoire of music, both Nigerian and foreign, used by the members of BON and IBAN in their broadcasting activities and by users of music generally around the country.

The ownership of these copyright is backed by valid and subsisting agreements, deeds of assignment and contracts of reciprocal representation duly entered into between MCSN and concerned assignors, licensors and creators.

The purported claim of contractual relationship between COSON and any individual Nigerian composer, author or foreign organisation is subject to the outcome of certain cases commenced prior to those purported contractual relationships and pending before the Federal High Court, notably the following:

Suit No. FHC/L/CS/798/10: MCSN & 4 ors vs. Nigerian Copyright Commission & 3 ors, seeking for a judicial review of the decision of the NCC’s refusal of MCSN’s application for approval as a collective management organisation. By the very nature of such action, parties are expected to maintain the status quo ante pending the final determination of the suit.

Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1267/12: MCSN vs. COSON & 6 ors, a class action seeking for COSON (and its predecessor-in-title, PMRS) to account for all the monies it has been collecting on MCSN’s repertoire from 1996 till date. This particular suit and its final decision, being a class action, would affect and bind members of BON and IBAN.

- 2 –

Suit No. FHC/L/CS/377/13: MCSN vs. COSON & NCC challenging the approval of COSON as a sole collective management organisation on fraudulent representation and in total disregard of the provisions of the Copyright Act, the Copyright Regulations of 2007 and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. It should be noted that many of the musicians who COSON claims to represent are subsisting members of MCSN who are protesting the fraudulent inclusion of their names in COSON’s membership list.

The decision in all or any of the above cases will most certainly determine which way the members of BON and IBAN and all other public users of music will go in the not-too-distant future.

Meanwhile, MCSN has already secured judgments affirming its constitutional and legal right to operate in the following cases:

Suit No. FHC/L/CS/35/08: MCSN & 4 ors vs. NCC & 4 ors delivered on 25th July 2011.

Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1163/12: MCSN & 7 Ors. vs. NCC & 5 ors delivered on 18th March 2013.

The judgments and the consequential orders made therein are still subsisting.

We are aware that COSON has been issuing threats of legal suits or has actually sued some of the members of BON and IBAN over its (COSON’s) largely false claims; we would be glad to be joined in such actions should any of BON or IBAN members find it necessary.

The question therefore remains that if COSON had already initiated legal proceedings to enforce whatever copyright it claims to have, why resorting to extra-judicial means and self-help in the form of false propaganda and appeal to sentiments with a view to arm-twisting members of BON and IBAN to do its bidding, except as a means to get whatever it can from the broadcasters before the falsehood and frauds are fully exposed?

Aside the ongoing judicial processes, the Nigerian Parliament, through the Joint House Committees on Justice and Judiciary of the House of Representatives recently investigated, through a Public Hearing in which NCC, BON, IBAN, MCSN, COSON and many other stakeholders were well represented, the issue of forced monopoly in the business of copyright collecting societies and the report of the joint House Committees is still being awaited.


- 3 -

The question to be asked now is, why is COSON not waiting for the outcome of these judicial and legislative intervention in which it is actively participating as an interested party before attempting to railroad BON and IBAN members and the general public to force payments out of them for the music which copyright it does not own or control, if not to grab what it can now before the break of the dawn?

COSON, since its days as PMRS, has been thriving on falsehood and deliberate misrepresentation to deceive people and many broadcasters to get money from them. Most of the monies collected from these users belong to MCSN’s repertoire, which PMRS/COSON has not accounted for till date. This is part of the fulcrum in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/377/13 mentioned earlier. This was also the fact as revealed in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/707/05 between MCSN vs. Vee Networks Limited (Airtel) in which MCSN got a judgment of N100 Million for the infringement of MCSN’s copyright in the musical work titled “Everything I do, I do it for You” on which PMRS had earlier fraudulently collected royalty.

COSON claimed that it distributed N100 Million in 2012, but the public is yet to know who gets what from the N100 Million or how much did COSON collect for the year out of which it distributed N100 Million. Even some acclaimed members of COSON are shouting “blue murder” as they claim that musicians’ monies were shared out to those who are not musicians and those whose music were not even played in the last 10 years! MCSN’s members and affiliates whose music form the bulk of the music on which COSON collected royalties in 2012 out of which the N100 Million was purportedly shared did not receive any account or money from COSON and COSON expects this fraud to go on unchallenged and the broadcasters should continue to pay!

MCSN has not abandoned the copyright which it duly and legally acquired before the “arrangee” emergence of COSON, which has been operating as the Performing and Mechanical Rights Society of Nigeria (PMRS), and intends to make appropriate legal claims at the appropriate time, employing the rule of law and following due process.

We are therefore using this medium to advise caution in any dealing which the public may be having with COSON with respect to copyright in musical works broadcast on BON and IBAN members’ stations.

Finally, it must be noted that the use of music by broadcasters and any other person or organisation is like buying goods and services from the open market and the broadcasters and other users of music are free to choose which or whose music they broadcast or use, either from MCSN’s or COSON’s repertoires or several other Nigerian artistes who are neither MCSN nor COSON affiliates.


Orits Williki
Chairman.

Nigerian-born former Acting Chief Justice of The Gambia, Joseph Wowo, has insisted that he has no case to answer in the bribery scandal that has rocked the judiciary of the West African nation for months.

Wowo’s legal representative, Uzoma Achigbue, in a statement examined and argued all the fourteen charges slammed against the embattled judge, shining the lights on the specifics and providing the opportunity for all concerned to see the case from another side.

He further clarified that the prosecution must prove his client ran foul of the law as concerns the case as specified in Section 90 of the criminal code volume 111, Laws of The Gambia which Wowo is accused of contravening by supposedly abusing authority, acting in arbitrariness and in a manner prejudicial to the right of another, among other things.

The former Acting Chief Justice was allegedly caught on tape meeting with the former Gambian Justice Minister, Lamin Jobarteh, who was sacked, a Dutch national, Andre Klaarbergen, and his Nigerian Lawyer Christopher Mene, negotiating the outcome of a Gambian Appeal Court judgment over a land dispute.

The allegations of bribery however suffered a huge blow as witnesses, during cross-examination, said nothing of such happened at the meeting, where the misdemeanour was reported to have taken place, as it was convened to compensate the party that lost in the land dispute case.

According to the no-case statement, one of the people at the meeting, the second prosecution witness at the High Court, Alieu Barry stated that Justice Joseph Wowo made it clear that he was invited by the former minister to mediate in the matter of compensation to the party that lost the case regarding dispute as to the title of land and not to subvert the course of justice as alleged. Commenting on supposed evidence available on YouTube, Barry said it was not a correct reflection of what he recorded.

Educated in the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Anambra State, Wowo has worked in The Gambian judiciary for years.
www.justicejosephwowo.com

Nigerian-born former Acting Chief Justice of The Gambia, Joseph Wowo, has insisted that he has no case to answer in the bribery scandal that has rocked the judiciary of the West African nation for months.

Wowo’s legal representative, Uzoma Achigbue, in a statement examined and argued all the fourteen charges slammed against the embattled judge, shining the lights on the specifics and providing the opportunity for all concerned to see the case from another side.

He further clarified that the prosecution must prove his client ran foul of the law as concerns the case as specified in Section 90 of the criminal code volume 111, Laws of The Gambia which Wowo is accused of contravening by supposedly abusing authority, acting in arbitrariness and in a manner prejudicial to the right of another, among other things.

The former Acting Chief Justice was allegedly caught on tape meeting with the former Gambian Justice Minister, Lamin Jobarteh, who was sacked, a Dutch national, Andre Klaarbergen, and his Nigerian Lawyer Christopher Mene, negotiating the outcome of a Gambian Appeal Court judgment over a land dispute.

The allegations of bribery however suffered a huge blow as witnesses, during cross-examination, said nothing of such happened at the meeting, where the misdemeanour was reported to have taken place, as it was convened to compensate the party that lost in the land dispute case.

According to the no-case statement, one of the people at the meeting, the second prosecution witness at the High Court, Alieu Barry stated that Justice Joseph Wowo made it clear that he was invited by the former minister to mediate in the matter of compensation to the party that lost the case regarding dispute as to the title of land and not to subvert the course of justice as alleged. Commenting on supposed evidence available on YouTube, Barry said it was not a correct reflection of what he recorded.

Educated in the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Anambra State, Wowo has worked in The Gambian judiciary for years.
www.justicejosephwowo.com

Nigerian-born former Acting Chief Justice of The Gambia, Joseph Wowo, has insisted that he has no case to answer in the bribery scandal that has rocked the judiciary of the West African nation for months.

Wowo’s legal representative, Uzoma Achigbue, in a statement examined and argued all the fourteen charges slammed against the embattled judge, shining the lights on the specifics and providing the opportunity for all concerned to see the case from another side.

He further clarified that the prosecution must prove his client ran foul of the law as concerns the case as specified in Section 90 of the criminal code volume 111, Laws of The Gambia which Wowo is accused of contravening by supposedly abusing authority, acting in arbitrariness and in a manner prejudicial to the right of another, among other things.

The former Acting Chief Justice was allegedly caught on tape meeting with the former Gambian Justice Minister, Lamin Jobarteh, who was sacked, a Dutch national, Andre Klaarbergen, and his Nigerian Lawyer Christopher Mene, negotiating the outcome of a Gambian Appeal Court judgment over a land dispute.

The allegations of bribery however suffered a huge blow as witnesses, during cross-examination, said nothing of such happened at the meeting, where the misdemeanour was reported to have taken place, as it was convened to compensate the party that lost in the land dispute case.

According to the no-case statement, one of the people at the meeting, the second prosecution witness at the High Court, Alieu Barry stated that Justice Joseph Wowo made it clear that he was invited by the former minister to mediate in the matter of compensation to the party that lost the case regarding dispute as to the title of land and not to subvert the course of justice as alleged. Commenting on supposed evidence available on YouTube, Barry said it was not a correct reflection of what he recorded.

Educated in the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Anambra State, Wowo has worked in The Gambian judiciary for years.
www.justicejosephwowo.com

RATTAWU ENDORSES BAN OF D BANJ, TU FACE ETC

At the 59th General Assembly and 12th Annual General Assembly (AGM) held in Abeokuta from Sunday, November 24 to 26, 2013, it was decided that the music of all registered Artistes/Members of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON)
 should be suspended from airing on our member stations.

Consequently, IBAN sent out a Press Release on November 27, 2013 to actualize the decision. BON by this letter is directing that the suspension takes effect from December 15, 2013 in all BON member stations.

Based on records available to the Secretariat, the following artistes are purported to be members of COSON:
TuFace ldibia, D ‘Banj, Inyanya, Olamide, Dr Sid, Sammie Okposo, Banky W, Wiz Kid, Olu Maintain, 9ice, Sunny Nneji, Flavour, Chidinma, Rugged Man, Keffee, Midnite Crew, Eldee De Don, M I, Azeezat, Jazzman Olofin, Ice Prince," Jesse Jagz, KC Presh, X Project, Asha, Konga, African China, Owen Gee, Dekunle Fuji, Lord of Ajasa, Zoolezoo, Ekwe Original Stereoman, Danfo Drivers, Rhymzo, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kofi, Jedee, Muma Gee, AY. Com, ID Cabassa, Klever J, ZidonPoperella, Eva, Terry G, Nomoreloss, Mike Okri, Weird MC, Mode 9, Timaya, Sound Sultan, Waje, Mo'Cheddah, Jay Martins, Slam, Djinee, Solid Star, Omawunmi, TWO, W4, Omotola Jelade Ekehinde, Yinka Ayefele, DJ Stramborella, Ebenezer Obey, Victor-Uwaifo, Onyeka Onwenu, Dan Maraya Jos, Tony Okoroji, Stella Monye, Floxxy Bee, Funmi Adams, Majek Fashek, Daniel Wilson, Alex Zitto, Sir-Shina Peters, Ras Kimono, Wale Thompson, Kollington Ayinla, Adewale Ayuba, Wasiu Ayinde Mashal, Chris Ajilo, Emmanuel Ntia, Orlando Julius, Eddy Remedy, Mr. Kool, 2 Shotz, Baba Dee, Bouqui, Rooftop MCs, Kenny Saint Brown, Klever J, OJB Jezreel, Danny Young, Dipp, Frank D' Nnero, Ojo, Tim Godfrey, Kween, Bankole Wellington (Banky W).

The Secretariat is unable to verify the membership of COSON; therefore, any Artiste who is listed but not a member of COSON and who wishes to have their music aired on BON-member stations should be directed to BON Secretariat via email: bonorgng@yahoo.com on or before December 15, 2013 in order to have their music reinstated.

This will be communicated to you as soon as it is received.

All New COSON registered artistes/members not stated above should also have their music withdrawn/suspended from airing on our stations with effect from December 15, 2013.

The Central Working Committee as part of the process of looking for solution to this problem will take this issue up with the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to urgently intervene in this grave matter in order to avoid the looming anarchy and avoidable face-off in the building Nigerian entertainment industry which broadcasters, under the aegis of BON are in the forefront of promoting.

We have faith and confidence on the ability of the constituted authorities to call COSON to order and save the industry from intransigence, bullying-tactics and lawlessness.

Kindly ensure strict compliance to show our collective resolve to fight COSON’s attitude of hostility, antagonism, grand standing, intemperate language, veiled and real threat and harassment of broadcasting stations by ensuring:

That independent producers do not violate this directives.

That staff do not use these music as fillers or productions in-house.

The Secretariat will continue to give you update.
Thank you.

OLUSEGUN OLALEYE
Executive Secretary

The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), in alignment with Broadcasters Organization of Nigeria (BON) hereby informs the General public that the music of the following Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Registered Artistes/Members is hereby suspended from airing on our stations with immediate effect.

TuFace ldibia, D' Banj, Inyanya, Olamide, Dr Sid, Sammie Okposo, Banky W, Wiz Kid, Olu Maintain, 9ice, Sunny Nneji, Flavour, Chidinma, Rugged Man, Keffee, Midnite Crew, Eldee De Don, M I, Azeezat, Jazzman Olofin, Ice Prince," Jesse Jagz, KC Presh, X Project, Asha, Konga, African China, Owen Gee, Dekunle Fuji, Lord of Ajasa, Zoolezoo, Ekwe Original Stereoman, Danfo Drivers, Rhymzo, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kofi, Jedee, Muma Gee, AY. Com, ID Cabassa, Klever J, ZidonPoperella, Eva, Terry G, Nomoreloss, Mike Okri, Weird MC, Mode 9, Timaya, Sound Sultan, Waje, Mo'Cheddah, Jay Martins, Slam, Djinee, Solid Star, Omawunmi, TWO, W4, Omotola JeladeEkehinde, YinkaAyefele, DJ Stramborella, Ebenezer Obey, Victor-Uwaifo, Onyeka Onwenu, Dan Maraya Jos, Tony Okoroji, Stella Monye, Floxxy Bee, Funmi Adams, MajekFashek, Daniel Wilson, Alex Zitto, Sir-Shina Peters, Ras Kimono, Wale Thompson, Kollington Ayinla, Adewale Ayuba, Wasiu;Ayinde Mashal, Chris Ajilo, Emminuel Ntia, Orlando Julius, Eddy Remedy, Mr. Kool, 2 Shotz, Baba Dee, Bouqui, Rooftop MCs, Kenny Saint Brown, Klever J, OJB Jezreel, Danny Young, Dipp, Frank D' Nnero, Ojo, Tim Godfrey, Kween, Bankole Wellington (Banky W).

All New COSON registered artistes/members not stated above shall also have their music withdrawn/suspended from airing on our stations with immediate effect.

Any Artist who is listed above and is not registered with COSON should please inform the IBAN Secretariat via email info@iban.com.ng on or before 7th December 2013 in order to have their music reinstated.

We are constrained to take this step principally as a result of COSON's attitude of antagonism and harassment under the leadership of Tony Okoroji. No person or organisation, particularly a collection society such as COSON has a monopoly of authority over any other, especially at this time when all hands should be on deck in building a sustainable copyright system. IBAN and BON have the utmost respect for Nigerian artistes in their individual and collective capacities and have indeed contributed more than any known institution to the promotion of Nigerian music and the development of the entertainment industry as a whole.

While we are well aware of the penchant for media sensationalism by Tony Okoroji and COSON in this and other related matters, IBAN & BON wish to reiterate that its members are ready and willing to pay royalties for works used but will not be railroaded into arbitrarily imposed and concocted fees which are not based on any agreeable and verifiable tariff & standards. In the circumstance, we are therefore taking steps in liaison with important stakeholders in the country to address and hopefully come to a fair and reasonable resolution of this COSON induced crises.

All artistes are hereby assured of our continued support

Dated this 27th day of November 2013.

Sonny Adun Guy Murray-Bruce.
CHAIRMAN IBAN SECRETARY IBAN

The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), in alignment with Broadcasters Organization of Nigeria (BON) hereby informs the General public that the music of the following Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Registered Artistes/Members is hereby suspended from airing on our stations with immediate effect.

TuFace ldibia, D' Banj, Inyanya, Olamide, Dr Sid, Sammie Okposo, Banky W, Wiz Kid, Olu Maintain, 9ice, Sunny Nneji, Flavour, Chidinma, Rugged Man, Keffee, Midnite Crew, Eldee De Don, M I, Azeezat, Jazzman Olofin, Ice Prince," Jesse Jagz, KC Presh, X Project, Asha, Konga, African China, Owen Gee, Dekunle Fuji, Lord of Ajasa, Zoolezoo, Ekwe Original Stereoman, Danfo Drivers, Rhymzo, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kofi, Jedee, Muma Gee, AY. Com, ID Cabassa, Klever J, ZidonPoperella, Eva, Terry G, Nomoreloss, Mike Okri, Weird MC, Mode 9, Timaya, Sound Sultan, Waje, Mo'Cheddah, Jay Martins, Slam, Djinee, Solid Star, Omawunmi, TWO, W4, Omotola JeladeEkehinde, YinkaAyefele, DJ Stramborella, Ebenezer Obey, Victor-Uwaifo, Onyeka Onwenu, Dan Maraya Jos, Tony Okoroji, Stella Monye, Floxxy Bee, Funmi Adams, MajekFashek, Daniel Wilson, Alex Zitto, Sir-Shina Peters, Ras Kimono, Wale Thompson, Kollington Ayinla, Adewale Ayuba, Wasiu;Ayinde Mashal, Chris Ajilo, Emminuel Ntia, Orlando Julius, Eddy Remedy, Mr. Kool, 2 Shotz, Baba Dee, Bouqui, Rooftop MCs, Kenny Saint Brown, Klever J, OJB Jezreel, Danny Young, Dipp, Frank D' Nnero, Ojo, Tim Godfrey, Kween, Bankole Wellington (Banky W).

All New COSON registered artistes/members not stated above shall also have their music withdrawn/suspended from airing on our stations with immediate effect.

Any Artist who is listed above and is not registered with COSON should please inform the IBAN Secretariat via email info@iban.com.ng on or before 7th December 2013 in order to have their music reinstated.

We are constrained to take this step principally as a result of COSON's attitude of antagonism and harassment under the leadership of Tony Okoroji. No person or organisation, particularly a collection society such as COSON has a monopoly of authority over any other, especially at this time when all hands should be on deck in building a sustainable copyright system. IBAN and BON have the utmost respect for Nigerian artistes in their individual and collective capacities and have indeed contributed more than any known institution to the promotion of Nigerian music and the development of the entertainment industry as a whole.

While we are well aware of the penchant for media sensationalism by Tony Okoroji and COSON in this and other related matters, IBAN & BON wish to reiterate that its members are ready and willing to pay royalties for works used but will not be railroaded into arbitrarily imposed and concocted fees which are not based on any agreeable and verifiable tariff & standards. In the circumstance, we are therefore taking steps in liaison with important stakeholders in the country to address and hopefully come to a fair and reasonable resolution of this COSON induced crises.

All artistes are hereby assured of our continued support

Dated this 27th day of November 2013.

Sonny Adun Guy Murray-Bruce.
CHAIRMAN IBAN SECRETARY IBAN

The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), in alignment with Broadcasters Organization of Nigeria (BON) hereby informs the General public that the music of the following Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Registered Artistes/Members is hereby suspended from airing on our stations with immediate effect.

TuFace ldibia, D' Banj, Inyanya, Olamide, Dr Sid, Sammie Okposo, Banky W, Wiz Kid, Olu Maintain, 9ice, Sunny Nneji, Flavour, Chidinma, Rugged Man, Keffee, Midnite Crew, Eldee De Don, M I, Azeezat, Jazzman Olofin, Ice Prince," Jesse Jagz, KC Presh, X Project, Asha, Konga, African China, Owen Gee, Dekunle Fuji, Lord of Ajasa, Zoolezoo, Ekwe Original Stereoman, Danfo Drivers, Rhymzo, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kofi, Jedee, Muma Gee, AY. Com, ID Cabassa, Klever J, ZidonPoperella, Eva, Terry G, Nomoreloss, Mike Okri, Weird MC, Mode 9, Timaya, Sound Sultan, Waje, Mo'Cheddah, Jay Martins, Slam, Djinee, Solid Star, Omawunmi, TWO, W4, Omotola JeladeEkehinde, YinkaAyefele, DJ Stramborella, Ebenezer Obey, Victor-Uwaifo, Onyeka Onwenu, Dan Maraya Jos, Tony Okoroji, Stella Monye, Floxxy Bee, Funmi Adams, MajekFashek, Daniel Wilson, Alex Zitto, Sir-Shina Peters, Ras Kimono, Wale Thompson, Kollington Ayinla, Adewale Ayuba, Wasiu;Ayinde Mashal, Chris Ajilo, Emminuel Ntia, Orlando Julius, Eddy Remedy, Mr. Kool, 2 Shotz, Baba Dee, Bouqui, Rooftop MCs, Kenny Saint Brown, Klever J, OJB Jezreel, Danny Young, Dipp, Frank D' Nnero, Ojo, Tim Godfrey, Kween, Bankole Wellington (Banky W).

All New COSON registered artistes/members not stated above shall also have their music withdrawn/suspended from airing on our stations with immediate effect.

Any Artist who is listed above and is not registered with COSON should please inform the IBAN Secretariat via email info@iban.com.ng on or before 7th December 2013 in order to have their music reinstated.
 
We are constrained to take this step principally as a result of COSON's attitude of antagonism and harassment under the leadership of Tony Okoroji. No person or organisation, particularly a collection society such as COSON has a monopoly of authority over any other, especially at this time when all hands should be on deck in building a sustainable copyright system. IBAN and BON have the utmost respect for Nigerian artistes in their individual and collective capacities and have indeed contributed more than any known institution to the promotion of Nigerian music and the development of the entertainment industry as a whole. 

While we are well aware of the penchant for media sensationalism by Tony Okoroji and COSON in this and other related matters, IBAN & BON wish to reiterate that its members are ready and willing to pay royalties for works used but will not be railroaded into arbitrarily imposed and concocted fees which are not based on any agreeable and verifiable tariff & standards. In the circumstance, we are therefore taking steps in liaison with important stakeholders in the country to address and hopefully come to a fair and reasonable resolution of this COSON induced crises.

All artistes are hereby assured of our continued support

Dated this 27th day of November 2013.
                                                                                                               
Sonny Adun Guy Murray-Bruce.
CHAIRMAN IBAN SECRETARY IBAN

For releasing, publishing and circulating a statement on its website, Twitter and Facebook pages that I deem libellous, slanderous and defamatory, a N5.5B lawsuit has been filed against the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).
Suit no LD\1007\13 was filed at the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere by my solicitor, Barrister (Dr.) Charles Mekwunye. I am seeking redress and claiming damages for COSON's widely circulated and published press statement that appeared online between October 16-26, 2013 in which the body said I am one of those that caused the death in penury of many late Nigerian musicians . COSON named Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson who died in 1969 , Celestine Ukwu who died in 1977,Sonny Okosun, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Bala Miller, Oliver De Coque and Chief Osita Osadebe among others. It listed me as a broadcaster of unauthorised music and said I have made massive advertising revenue and profit from the works of the musicians.
I was in primary one when Rex Lawson died and in secondary school (class 4) when Celestine Ukwu passed on! It is trite law that a natural person cannot broadcast. I have been and remain a sports presenter. While I remember the listed musicians for their accomplishments, I was never their great fan. My business interest has been and remains sports, not the works of Nigerian musicians. I did not cause and have not caused any musician to die in penury. COSON must prove advertising bookings and revenue addressed to and paid to Larry Izamoje for music. Indeed, COSON rebuffed all attempts by my solicitor to have them retract the story which other websites, local and international, also published.
I am not aware COSON equally listed and made press statements about the Chief Executives of other broadcast houses in their earlier publications and , therefore, see their release which was so widely circulated and published as a deliberate and calculated attempt to rubbish my integrity, dwarf all I have achieved in sports business and turn the families of the deceased musicians against me..
It would be recalled that the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) are opposing the arbitrary and unilateral imposition, by COSON, of royalty fees on broadcast stations.

Dr Larry Izamoje
Chairman/CEO

For releasing, publishing and circulating a statement on its website, Twitter and Facebook pages that I deem libellous, slanderous and defamatory, a N5.5B lawsuit has been filed against the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).
Suit no LD\1007\13 was filed at the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere by my solicitor, Barrister (Dr.) Charles Mekwunye. I am seeking redress and claiming damages for COSON's widely circulated and published press statement that appeared online between October 16-26, 2013 in which the body said I am one of those that caused the death in penury of many late Nigerian musicians . COSON named Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson who died in 1969 , Celestine Ukwu who died in 1977,Sonny Okosun, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Bala Miller, Oliver De Coque and Chief Osita Osadebe among others. It listed me as a broadcaster of unauthorised music and said I have made massive advertising revenue and profit from the works of the musicians.
I was in primary one when Rex Lawson died and in secondary school (class 4) when Celestine Ukwu passed on! It is trite law that a natural person cannot broadcast. I have been and remain a sports presenter. While I remember the listed musicians for their accomplishments, I was never their great fan. My business interest has been and remains sports, not the works of Nigerian musicians. I did not cause and have not caused any musician to die in penury. COSON must prove advertising bookings and revenue addressed to and paid to Larry Izamoje for music. Indeed, COSON rebuffed all attempts by my solicitor to have them retract the story which other websites, local and international, also published.
I am not aware COSON equally listed and made press statements about the Chief Executives of other broadcast houses in their earlier publications and , therefore, see their release which was so widely circulated and published as a deliberate and calculated attempt to rubbish my integrity, dwarf all I have achieved in sports business and turn the families of the deceased musicians against me..
It would be recalled that the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) are opposing the arbitrary and unilateral imposition, by COSON, of royalty fees on broadcast stations.

Dr Larry Izamoje
Chairman/CEO

For releasing, publishing and circulating a statement on its website, Twitter and Facebook pages that I deem libellous, slanderous and defamatory, a N5.5B lawsuit has been filed against the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).

Suit no LD100713 was filed at the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere by my solicitor, Barrister (Dr.) Charles Mekwunye. I am seeking redress and claiming damages for COSON's widely circulated and published press statement that appeared online between October 16-26, 2013 in which the body said I am one of those that caused the death in penury of many late Nigerian musicians . COSON named Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson who died in 1969 , Celestine Ukwu who died in 1977,Sonny Okosun, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Bala Miller, Oliver De Coque and Chief Osita Osadebe among others. It listed me as a broadcaster of unauthorised music and said I have made massive advertising revenue and profit from the works of the musicians.

I was in primary one when Rex Lawson died and in secondary school (class 4) when Celestine Ukwu passed on! It is trite law that a natural person cannot broadcast. I have been and remain a sports presenter. While I remember the listed musicians for their accomplishments, I was never their great fan. My business interest has been and remains sports, not the works of Nigerian musicians. I did not cause and have not caused any musician to die in penury. COSON must prove advertising bookings and revenue addressed to and paid to Larry Izamoje for music. Indeed, COSON rebuffed all attempts by my solicitor to have them retract the story which other websites, local and international, also published.
I am not aware COSON equally listed and made press statements about the Chief Executives of other broadcast houses in their earlier publications and , therefore, see their release which was so widely circulated and published as a deliberate and calculated attempt to rubbish my integrity, dwarf all I have achieved in sports business and turn the families of the deceased musicians against me...

It would be recalled that the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) are opposing the arbitrary and unilateral imposition, by COSON, of royalty fees on broadcast stations.

Dr Larry Izamoje
Chairman/CEO (Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM)