Embattled chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, was reportedly arrested by officers of the Nigerian Police Force in response to a petition filed by concerned members of the society who are outraged by alleged multiple incidents of malfeasance orchestrated to bleed the society of millions of naira collected on behalf of rights holders.

This much was contained in a press statement issued Monday by Efe Omorogbe, member of COSON and consultant to popular musician, Innocent 2Baba Idibia.

According to the statement made available to Maggie’s Blog, in what appears to be a swift action to thwart a crafty move to retroactively validate questionable financial dealings via another hush hush AGM, the Edo based members obtained and executed a warrant of arrest on Okoroji at about 5pm on Monday, December 14, 2020.

“This action became necessary after Okoroji failed to offer satisfactory explanation for a series of questionable actions during a grilling session held recently in Benin,” said the statement.

“The embattled chairman has depended on a litany of lawsuits to avoid submitting to the widely demanded forensic audit of the finances and operations of the collective management organisation under his 10-year reign as chairman of the board.

“This position has resulted in the loss of its operating licence and severely battered image within the local and international copyright community,” added the statement.

All efforts made to speak with the COSON boss Monday evening proved abortive as calls placed to his phones rang out.