By SUNNY OKIM

The Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr John Ohireime Asein has fired back at his accusers who alleged that he is involved in gross abuse of office and conflict of interest after keeping another employment and drawing salaries from both ends long after his retirement.

The allegation which was recently reported by a cross section of the media also accused the current NCC DG of holding the position of the Executive Director of Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG), a collective management organisation regulated by the commission, a practice, which clearly violates the Public Service Rules and runs counter to the code of conduct for public officers.

News Express investigation reveals that, contrary to the said allegations, the NCC boss had on January 15, 2019 formally resigned from REPRONIG through a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Board, Professor Olu Obafemi.

The letter titled, "Letter of Resignation" stated:

"As the chairman is aware, I have just been appointed Director-General of Nigeria Copyright Commission. Although the letter is dated today, January 15, it is with effect from 8 January, 2019."

The last paragraph of the resignation letter stated:

"May I use this opportunity to inform you that I have signed the agreement between WIPO and REPRONIG for the benefit of the blind community. As you are aware, REPRONIG's role, as pro-bono Project Coordinator, is to receive and distribute project funds and to work with the relevant project partners to produce the needed textbooks in accesible formats for blind children. This voluntary service, in my view, is one of the immediate outcomes of Nigeria's recent ratification ofbthe Marrakesh Treaty.

Again I look forward to assisting REPRONIG in the implementation of the project."

While accepting Asein's resignation, the Board chairman appealed to him to continue rendering a free service of assisting REPRONG in the collection and disbursements of incoming funds.

"While wishing you well in your new assignment, may I respectfully appeal to you to continue to supervise the ongoing WIPO-ABC project. This is an international project, the success of which would have far reaching implications for Nigeria and should therefore not fail. I know that the role of REPRONIG as pro-bono Project Coordinator is merely to recieve and distribute project funds to the beneficiary partners.

"Since REPRONIG does not have the capacity at the moment, would you be kind enough to help manage the project and continue to serve as a joint signatory for the purpose of disbursing the moneies due to the beneficiaries under the contract. I assure you that REPRONIG will thereafter regularize its bank mandates," stated the acceptance letter.

When News Express contracted the NCC boss for comments on the published allegations that he works for payment from his former organisation which he had resigned from and still collects various sums of money on behalf of the organisation, the erudite lawyer said he would not make any comments on the issue as he is an employee of the federal government and so was not allowed to talk to the press.

But a top official at NCC who pleaded anonymity said the NCC boss has never been disloyal to his present employer (NCC).

"All those accusations are the handiwork of detractors who don't understand the workings of what they are talking about.

They are not aware of the fact that REPRONIG is a pro bono project coordinator, and the beneficiaries of the payments are clearly spelt out. Nobody can take the money for personal use," said the official.

Asked if it's not disloyalty as alleged, for the DG to still be involved in REPRONG project while serving at NCC, our source said,

"It would be disloyalty if he is being paid by REPRONG to assist. He is offering his assistance free of charge for the benefit of the disable persons who need the books and facilities. It is just like accusing a Principal of a government school of belonging to the Red Cross Society. When did humanitarian service become disloyalty?" he queried.

Commenting further the source said,

"All this hullabaloo is the usual pull-him-down syndrome by desperate people. Some people are just trying to get at the DG simply because he has ordered for foreinsic audit of some organisations under the supervision of NCC. We know those people, but their gimmicks will fail."

When asked what he thinks might have triggered the allegations, the source said,

"Some people that have plagiarised the DG's work in the past without the DG taking action against them but just warnings, are conspiring with others that have vowed to destroy the industry if they are not allowed to operate without NCC regulating their practices. Don't forget that this smear campaign first started from COSON when the DG ordered for foreinsic audit. Some people believe that they are above the law and can get their way through anything."

Meanwhile, Nigerian musicians under the auspices of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) have registered their solidarity with the NCC Director-General.

In a press statement issued earlier today signed by its president Mr Pretty Okafor and made available to News Express, the musicians' body calls on the DG to disregard the allegations and continue with his good works at NCC.

"PMAN finds these allegations not to be in-line with the truth according to documents made available to the music Union attached herein.

"Mr Asien did follow due process in the disposition of his civil duties contrary to the malicious claims and allegations which are completely baseless.

"PMAN urges the NCC boss to keep his focus on the commission’s ongoing efforts to eradicate piracy and to discard “SMEAR CAMPAIGNS “ known to be sponsored by pirates and unscrupulous elements who seek to undermine the Commission’s commendable efforts in the creative sector," the statement said.

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