On the 3rd of April, I had just come back from Abeokuta where I had the
honour of joining several superb Nigerians in the fabulous 75th
birthday celebration of the iconic juju music superstar, Evangelist
Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, who for many years has been one of my closest
confidants in the music industry. President Obasanjo who once hosted me
at Aso Rock, hosted the event. Upon return to Lagos in the evening, I
was tired and feeling unwell and just wanted to go home and sleep
It was then someone called me to say that there would be an
announcement any time that another collecting society for the music
industry had been approved on the orders of the Attorney – General of
the Federation. I was aghast.
I know the music industry and the
copyright system in Nigeria enough to know that what I was hearing was a
recipe for absolute commotion. By such a decision, much of the progress
we have made in the last several years which demanded relentless work
would be wiped away. Our agreement with the broadcast industry
negotiated over several years could become meaningless. The agreement
with the hotel industry will suffer the same faith. Royalty income to
thousands of artistes across Nigeria would evaporate. The body of
decisions by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal on the
Nigerian copyright system would have no meaning anymore. Question after
question raced through my mind. How could the AGF have taken such a
decision? Who advised him? Who did he consult? That night, I spoke with
the AGF on the phone. It was clear to me that he had been told that the
music industry would applaud such a decision! We agreed that I should
come to Abuja on the first flight the next day so we could discuss the
disturbing development.
I will not divulge the details of our
discussions at meetings that were held over two days in his office and
some of the intrigues that have played out since. One thing that became
clear to me is that a few of the minister’s aides had exploited his
incredibly busy schedule to push the agenda of their private clients in
ways that are extremely troubling.
Upon my return to Lagos, I
sent an email to Mr Sylvester Imhanobe, the minister’s Senior Assistant,
whose body language suggests that he played a significant role in
creating the commotion that has since gripped the music industry and the
copyright system. I might be passionate in my writings but I do not use
curse words and I certainly did not use any curse words in my mail to
Mr. Imhanobe which I copied his principal.