PMAN petitions AGF over alleged ‘hijack’ of copy levy process

2026-02-28 - 08:07

By Benjamin Njoku The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria,PMAN, has formally petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, warning against an “institutional ambush” of Nigeria’s Copyright Levy disbursement framework. PMAN alleges that a recent stakeholders meeting at the Federal Ministry of Justice initially meant to advance broader consultations on levy disbursement was reportedly reclassified as an internal ministry meeting, leading to MCSN’s DG/CEO and PMAN’s President being informed not to attend, only for the meeting to proceed nonetheless. PMAN alleges the meeting was subsequently re-purposed into an agenda designed to advance RELPI’s interests, including steps consistent with pushing RELPI toward licensing/recognition as a CMO. The association, however, flags conflict-of-interest concerns involving public officials with links to RELPI. The petition claims that these officials’ presence and influence create a “classic conflict situation” and risk making the government appear to be taking sides . In a statement made available to Entertainment Plus, PMAN argues that RELPI’s actions, including litigation, aim to truncate or redirect the disbursement architecture. The petition calls on the AGF to review the meeting, suspend steps toward RELPI licensing, and require officials with ties to RELPI to recuse themselves. PMAN also demands an urgent stakeholder meeting to prevent institutional breakdown and protect the Copy Levy intended for Nigerian musicians. The musicians’ body insists it supports the President and the AGF’s progress on the Copy Levy and says its intervention is aimed at preventing insiders and conflicted interests from “tinting” the administration’s efforts and plunging the music industry back into decades of turmoil and fragmentation in rights administration.