The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, raising concerns over Nigeria’s copyright levy disbursement framework and the possible fast-track recognition of the Record Label Proprietors’ Initiative (RELPI) as a collective management organisation (CMO).
PMAN said unnamed officials linked to RELPI orchestrated what it described as an “institutional ambush” within the Federal Ministry of Justice, favouring record label interests over performers and grassroots creators.
The petition follows a Federal High Court ruling barring the Central Bank of Nigeria and 20 banks from accessing copyright levy funds held by the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN).
The dispute centres on a stakeholder meeting on 19 February, initially intended to discuss levy fund distribution.
PMAN said the session was reclassified as an internal ministry meeting, with its leaders and MCSN’s Director-General reportedly told not to attend. The meeting went ahead without them and was allegedly repurposed to advance RELPI’s interests.
PMAN raised conflict-of-interest concerns, citing Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, and Clement Agba, Special Assistant to the President on Creative Economy, as having ties to RELPI. The association warned that such involvement could give the impression that the government is taking sides while the matter is before the courts.
The petition urged the Attorney-General to suspend any steps toward licensing or recognising RELPI as a CMO, review the 19 February meeting, and convene a transparent stakeholder session with the Nigerian Copyright Commission, approved CMOs, PMAN, and other recognised bodies.
“The copy levy is a critical intervention meant for Nigerian musicians and performers nationwide. Narrow interests must not quietly capture it,” the petition said.
As of press time, the Attorney-General’s office and the officials named had not responded.
