The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) said it has noted a press statement issued by Tony Okoroji under the name of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), in various media platforms containing allegations against MCSN and its approval as a Collective Management Organisation (CMO).
This was according in a statement released by Mayowa Ayilaran for MCSN.
MCSN rejects the allegations as false and misleading. The society maintains that its approval by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in March 2017 followed years of petitions, court actions, and a 2013 resolution of the House of Representatives directing the NCC to approve MCSN as a collecting society.
MCSN stated that it was established in 1984 and operated before the introduction of NCC approval requirements for CMOs. It argues that successive efforts by COSON and Tony Okoroji delayed its approval despite court judgments and legislative interventions supporting its position.
The society further noted that COSON challenged MCSN’s approval in court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1259/2017, but the case was dismissed on February 13, 2018. MCSN also cites Supreme Court judgments delivered in 2018 affirming its right to operate.
Responding to claims that it was used to siphon funds from musicians, MCSN argues that between 1995 and 2017 COSON was the approved CMO and collected royalties from users of copyrighted works, while MCSN received no government funds.
On the N2.5 billion received following the Court of Appeal judgment in the Multichoice case and the N1.2 billion allocated under the Levy Order Scheme, MCSN maintains that the funds were lawfully obtained and have been subject to scrutiny by relevant authorities. It adds that the 2026 levy funds have not yet been distributed due to stakeholder consultations and ongoing court matters.
MCSN also recalled that a Federal High Court judgment delivered on March 25, 2020, which held that COSON was a non-juristic entity and directed the Corporate Affairs Commission to strike the name from its register.
The society further stated that Tony Okoroji was removed as COSON chairman by the organisation’s board in December 2017 and that the NCC subsequently suspended and later terminated COSON’s licence after governance disputes within the organisation. According to MCSN, several court actions seeking the restoration of the licence were unsuccessful.
MCSN contends that the latest allegations by Tony Okoroji are part of a long-standing campaign aimed at discrediting the organisation.
It noted that in a separate defamation suit filed by its Chief Executive Officer, Mayo Ayilaran, the court awarded N25 million damages against Okoroji.
The society urges stakeholders and public institutions to rely on documented court judgments, legislative resolutions and regulatory records in assessing the issues. It also confirms that it has lodged a formal petition against Tony Okoroji alleging criminal conduct and obtaining by false pretence, expressing confidence that the relevant authorities will determine the matter in accordance with the law.
