News
MCSN Fires Back at Tony Okoroji, Defends Approval, Alleges Decades-Long Campaign of Falsehood
Cyril Ogar
The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) has strongly refuted allegations made against it by Mr Tony Okoroji, describing the claims as false, malicious and part of a long-running campaign aimed at undermining the organization.
In a statement signed on Tuesday in Abuja by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Mayowa Ayilaran, MCSN responded to a recent press briefing issued under the name of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), in which Okoroji allegedly accused MCSN of being a “scam machine” established to siphon funds from Nigerian musicians.
MCSN dismissed the allegations as baseless and misleading, accusing Okoroji of attempting to influence government institutions, including the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the courts through what it described as a campaign of misinformation.
According to MCSN, the dispute dates back to the early 1990s when amendments to Nigeria’s Copyright Act introduced a requirement for collective management organizations (CMOs) to obtain approval from the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC). The society stated that although it had been operating since 1984 and applied for approval when the process commenced, it was denied recognition while the then Performing and Mechanical Rights Society (PMRS), later renamed COSON, received approval.
MCSN claimed that it spent decades pursuing legal and administrative remedies to secure approval, eventually receiving support from the House of Representatives following a public hearing in 2013. The National Assembly reportedly directed the NCC to approve MCSN as a collecting society after hearing submissions from all stakeholders.
The organization further stated that its eventual approval in March 2017 followed the implementation of the National Assembly’s resolution and not any improper influence as alleged by Okoroji. It noted that subsequent legal actions challenging its approval were dismissed by the courts.
Responding to allegations concerning financial benefits received by MCSN, including N2.5 billion awarded following a Court of Appeal judgment involving Multichoice Nigeria Limited and funds distributed under the Levy Order Scheme, the society maintained that all transactions were lawful, transparent and subject to scrutiny by relevant government agencies.
MCSN also accused Okoroji of continuing to use the COSON name despite court judgments which it said questioned the legal status of the organization and directed that the name be removed from official records.
The society recalled several court cases involving COSON and the NCC over the suspension and eventual termination of COSON’s operating licence, noting that attempts to overturn those decisions had failed in court.
Furthermore, MCSN cited a defamation judgment in favour of its CEO, Mayowa Ayilaran, in which a court reportedly awarded N25 million in damages against Okoroji.
While assuring stakeholders in the music industry that it remains committed to transparency and the protection of creators’ rights, MCSN announced that it has formally petitioned law enforcement authorities against Okoroji over alleged criminal activities.
The organization expressed confidence that the facts would ultimately prevail and pledged to continue defending its reputation and role within Nigeria’s copyright administration system.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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